HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – The Northern Kentucky University women's soccer team is set to host Youngstown State this weekend in Horizon League action. Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m., and live stats will be available.
 
NORTHERN KENTUCKY vs. YOUNGSTOWN STATE
Saturday, Sept. 22 – 4 p.m. – NKU Soccer Stadium – Live Stats
 
SERIES HISTORY
NKU leads the series 5-0. In the last meeting on Sept. 23, 2017, the Norse defeated the Penguins 7-1.
 
LAST TIME OUT
The Norse earned a 2-1 victory at Green Bay on Sept. 15 to open up Horizon League play. Emily Soltes scored in the 27^th minute on assists by Shawna Zaken and Taylor Spaulding to give the team a 1-0 lead. Zaken followed with a goal of her own in the 58^th minute to extend the lead to 2-0. Ally Perkins and Samantha Duwel each earned an assist on the play. Green Bay scored in the 80^th minute, but NKU went on to win the match 2-1.
 
TAKING A LOOK AT THE STATS
NKU is 5-3 overall and 1-0 in the Horizon League. The Norse have a perfect 3-0 record at home, and are 2-3 on the road with losses to quality opponents, Murray State, Cincinnati and at then-No. 22 Butler. NKU is averaging 1.50 goals per match and giving up an average of one goal per match. Shawna Zaken and Emily Soltes have three goals and an assist on the season. Both are tied for second in the Horizon League in goals scored. Samantha Duwel has a goal and five assists. Her five assists are tied for second in the Horizon League. Payton Naylor has contributed a goal and three assists, and Chloe Mills has recorded two goals on the season.
 
NCAA RPI
The Norse were ranked No. 81 in the first official NCAA RPI, which was released on Monday, Sept. 17. NKU had the highest ranking out of all the Horizon League teams.
 
HORIZON LEAGUE DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Lohmann was named the Nike® Horizon League Defensive Player of the Week on Monday, Aug. 27 for her play from Aug. 20-26. She recorded a shutout for the Norse in the 1-0 win over Xavier on Thursday evening. Lohmann faced 12 shots on the night and made five saves in the contest. She also had another good showing in a 1-0 overtime loss to Cincinnati on Sunday evening. Lohmann faced 18 shots and made six saves in that contest.
 
THIS YEAR'S SQUAD
The Norse return 17 players from last year's team and welcome six newcomers to the squad. Lily Menssen, Ashleigh Cronin, Morgan Jewell, Ella Holland, Madelyn Koewler and Chloe Mills are in their first seasons at NKU.
 
HEAD COACH BOB SHEEHAN
Bob Sheehan is in his 22^nd season at the helm of the NKU women's soccer team. He sports a 311-103-28 (.735) all-time record. Sheehan won his 300^th career match last season against Appalachian State on Aug. 29, 2017. His teams are 19-5-4 in Horizon League play and have a 4-1-1 record in the Horizon League Tournament.
 
SCOUTING THE OPPONENT
Youngstown State was picked to finish ninth in the Horizon League preseason poll. The Penguins are 1-7-2 overall and 0-1 in the league with a 1-0 loss to Milwaukee. YSU is currently on a five-match losing streak. The Penguins are averaging 0.30 goals per contest and give up an average of 2.30 goals per match. YSU has scored three goals this season, including an own goal. Kate McEachern and Zeeyana Jivraj have split time in the net. McEachern is 1-4-2 with 34 saves and a 1.87 goals against average. Jivraj is 0-3 with 17 saves and a 2.86 goals against average.