HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – The Northern Kentucky University men's soccer team hits the road for matches against Green Bay and Purdue Fort Wayne, on Saturday and Monday, respectively. Saturday's match against Green Bay starts at 8 p.m. ET, with Monday's match slated for 7 p.m. ET.
 
NORTHERN KENTUCKY vs. GREEN BAY
Saturday, Sept. 15 – 8 p.m. ET – Green Bay, Wisconsin – Live Stats – ESPN+
 
NORTHERN KENTUCKY vs. PURDUE FORT WAYNE
Monday, Sept. 17 – 7 p.m. ET – Fort Wayne, Indiana – Live Stats – Live Video
 
SERIES HISTORY
The Norse are 1-3 all-time against Green Bay. Last season, the Phoenix defeated the Norse 1-0 in double overtime on Nov. 3, 2017.
 
NKU is 16-3-4 against Purdue Fort Wayne. The teams last met on Aug. 31, 2017, and the Norse came away with a 2-1 victory.
 
LAST TIME OUT
The Norse bounced back from their first loss of the season with a 3-0 win over Evansville on Tuesday evening in nonconference action. Connor Probert, Alex Willis and Calvin Murphy all scored in the contest, and Alex Greive recorded three assists. Jim Barkei and Ed Harvey combined for a shutout in the net for NKU.
 
TAKING A LOOK AT THE STATS
NKU is 5-1 on the season and 0-1 in the Horizon League. The Norse are averaging 2.50 goals per contest and allow 1.50 goals per match. NKU is tied for fifth in the nation in total goals and eighth in the nation in scoring offense. Alex Willis leads the team with seven goals and 17 points. He is tied for first in the nation in points and is second nationally in goals scored. Alex Greive has recorded two goals and seven assists on the year. His seven assists are tied for first in the NCAA. Calvin Murphy has scored three goals on the year, Connor Probert has recorded three goals and two assists, and goalkeeper Jim Barkei also has two assists.
 
ALEX WILLIS EARNS NATIONAL RECOGNITION
Freshman forward Alex Willis earned national recognition for his play from Aug. 27-Sept. 2. Willis was named to the College Soccer News National Team of the Week, and he also earned United Soccer Coaches Player of the Week honors for NCAA Division I. In addition to his national awards, Willis was named the Horizon League Offensive Player of the Week.
 
Willis helped the Norse to a 3-2 victory over preseason Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) favorite Canisius on Monday, Aug. 27. He scored two goals and recorded an assist in the match against the Golden Griffins. Willis followed that up with two goals against Duquesne on Friday, Aug. 31 in NKU's 2-1 win. Despite the Norse playing with nine men starting late in the second half, Willis scored the game-winner in the 96^th minute to lift NKU to victory. Willis followed that performance with a goal and two assists on Sunday, Sept. 2 to help the Norse defeat Robert Morris 3-2.
 
SECOND SEASON
Head coach Stu Riddle is in his second season leading the program, and it is his 10^th season as a head coach. He has an overall record of 73-75-25. Assistant coach Blair Stevenson and volunteer assistant coach Roger Lane are also in their second years at NKU, while assistant coach Sam Brooks begins his first season on the Norse coaching staff.
 
TAKING A LOOK AT THE SQUAD
The Norse return 14 players from last year's team and add nine newcomers to the fold for 2018. Rikard Lindqvist and Tom Suchecki are back in 2018, and each had four goals and two assists last season. Wes Collins, Justin Earle, Ed Harvey, Will Hunt, Stian Jørgensen, Sam Mason, Connor Probert, Sam Slocum, and Alex Willis will begin their first season at NKU.
 
SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS
Green Bay enters the contest on Saturday undefeated at 4-0-1 overall and 1-0 in the Horizon League. The Phoenix were the 2017 Horizon League Regular Season champions. Green Bay is averaging 1.80 goals per match and allowing goals at a rate of just 0.80 per contest. This season, Tomer Zloczower leads the team with three goals. Bernard Assibeyrhule has added two goals on the year. Jamison Yoder has started four matches in the net for the Phoenix. He has made 16 saves for a 0.842 save percentage and a 0.76 goals against average.
 
Purdue Fort Wayne is 3-2 on the season. The Mastodons are second in the nation with 3.20 goals per contest, but they also allow 2.20 goals per match. Matthew Lieshout leads the team with five goals and 11 points on the season. Romain Lopez has added a goal and five assists. In the net, Tor Erik Larsen has started all five contests. He has made 22 saves for a 0.667 save percentage. The team plays Bradley tonight (Sept. 14) before facing the Norse on Monday.