HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – The Northern Kentucky women's soccer team defeated Xavier in exciting fashion on Thursday evening by a final score of 1-0. Payton Naylor scored the game-winning goal with 15 seconds left to give the Norse the victory.
 
"Xavier has some special players, and they have an excellent team," said NKU head coach Bob Sheehan. "We are so proud of our team's effort, commitment to the game, and willingness to gut out a win.  Our defensive group of Taylor (Spaulding), Lily (Menssen), and Hannah (Fischer) were exceptional.  Emily (Lohmann) was terrific and made a big save to keep the game tied.  Our midfielders and attacking players all put in the work necessary to earn the win. Hannah played a great ball out to Erin (Sutton), and Erin found Payton on a full sprint down the field.  Payton showed great skill and technique in settling the ball at pace and finishing the goal. I couldn't be any happier for our entire group."
 
 
NKU SCORING SUMMARY

• A ball played up the field by Hannah Fischer found Erin Sutton, who relayed the ball to Naylor. Naylor slipped her shot past the goalkeeper at 89:45 to give NKU the 1-0 advantage.

 
BETWEEN THE POSTS

• Emily Lohmann made five saves on the evening, including a big save in the 57^th minute to keep the Musketeers off of the scoreboard. Going back towards the goal, Lohmann punched the ball away from the net and out for a corner kick.

 
FIRST HALF SUMMARY

• Both defenses played well in the first half, as each team had just two shots in the period.
• The first shot in the match occurred in the ninth minute. Xavier's Samantha Dewey had her attempt blocked by the NKU back line.
• Lohmann made her first save of the match in the 14^th minute. Courtney Lankford took a shot, but it was right at Lohmann.
• Megan Patrick had a shot attempt in the 25^th minute, but the ball was high of the crossbar.
• Shawna Zaken took a shot in the 38^th minute, but it went to the right of the net.
• Each team had a corner kick in the half.

 
SECOND HALF SUMMARY

• In the 55^th minute, Dewey put a shot on goal for Xavier, but Lohmann was there to make the save.
• Lohmann made a huge stop in the 57^th minute to keep Xavier off of the scoreboard.
• Samantha Duwel fired a shot on goal for NKU in the 68^th minute.
• In the 71^st minute, Lohmann was called into action again and prevented Xavier's Hayley Jakovich from getting on the scoresheet.
• Sutton had a shot on frame in the 80^th minute, but her attempt was saved.
• Xavier's Molly McLaughlin headed a shot on goal in the 87^th minute, but Lohmann was once again there to make the save.
• Naylor's goal with 15 seconds left allowed NKU to get the 1-0 victory.

 
UP NEXT

• The Norse travel to Cincinnati for the Riverboat Rivalry on Sunday, Aug. 26. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Gettler Stadium.