HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – The Northern Kentucky men's soccer team defeated UNC Asheville on Saturday by a final score of 3-0. It was the first match of the preseason for both teams.
 
"Given the fact that we have only had two practice days together, I was very pleased with our performance in our first preseason match," said NKU head coach Stu Riddle. "We saw some very strong performances from returners and freshmen, and this gives us a good base to build off ahead of our second match on Wednesday. I'd like to thank Coach Mennell and his staff for traveling to play them and wish them the best of luck in their upcoming season."
 
 
NKU SCORING SUMMARY

• Alex Willis gave NKU a 1-0 lead in the 16^th minute. Connor Probert took a free kick and passed it to Abdul Kooistra. Kooistra crossed the ball into the box, and Willis one-timed it into the back of the net.
• Probert added to the lead in the 43^rd minute. Willis played a cross into the box from the right side, and Probert blasted a shot past the goalkeeper to give the Norse a 2-0 advantage.
• Willis was fouled in the box in the 51^st minute, and he converted a penalty kick to put NKU ahead 3-0.

BETWEEN THE POSTS

• Jim Barkei finished with two saves in nearly 85 minutes of playing time.
• Isaish Schatz also made a save in the contest.

 
FIRST HALF SUMMARY

• Schatz made the first save of the match in the 10^th minute. He came on for Barkei for five minutes in the early part of the half.
• Willis gave the Norse a 1-0 lead in the 16^th minute.
• Barkei made saves in the 21^st and 29^th minutes to keep the Bulldogs off of the scoreboard.
• Willis added a shot on goal in the 32^nd minute, but his attempt was saved.
• Probert gave the Norse a 2-0 lead in the 43^rd minute.
• Each team had three shots on goal during the period.

 
SECOND HALF SUMMARY

• Willis scored his second goal of the match in the 51^st minute to allow the Norse to go ahead 3-0.
• Willis nearly scored a hat trick with an attempt in the 72^nd minute, but his attempt was blocked by the UNC Asheville goalkeeper, and the ball bounced off of the post.
• Barkei didn't have to make a save in the second half, as the Bulldogs had four shots in the period, but none of them were on goal.
• The Norse had eight shots with three on goal in the half.

 
MATCH NOTES

• NKU had a 16-10 shot advantage in the contest.
• Willis recorded eight shots in the match, with four of them on goal.
• In total, 22 players saw action for the Norse in the match.

 
UP NEXT

• The Norse return home on Wednesday, Aug. 15 for a preseason match against Asbury. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at NKU Soccer Stadium.