HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – The Northern Kentucky University men's soccer team (4-6-1, 2-3 HL) takes on Louisville Tuesday night for a nonconference matchup.
NORTHERN KENTUCKY at LOUISVILLE
Tuesday, Oct. 15 – 7:00 p.m. – Louisville, Kentucky – ACC Network Extra
SERIES HISTORY
Louisville leads the series 6-3. The Cardinals defeated the Norse, 2-1, in their last matchup in 1988.
LAST TIME OUT
NKU fell to Detroit Mercy on the road, 2-0, on Saturday Night. Despite 17 shot-opportunities, the Norse were unable to find the net. Connor Probert had four shots on goal in the contest, moving his season percentage up to .463. Baj Maan played the entire contest, making five saves in 10 faced shots. The loss moved NKU to 2-3 in Horizon League play with three conference matches remaining.
SCOUTING THE OPPONENT
Don't be fooled by Louisville's 5-4-2 (1-3-1 ACC) record. The Cardinals are still receiving votes in the United Soccer Coaches poll and have played an arduous schedule that includes No. 1 Virginia, No. 11 Clemson, No. 12 Georgetown, No. 16 Kentucky and No. 22 Virginia Tech. Cherif Dieye and Kino Ryosuke are players to watch for Louisville as they have five and three goals respectively. Jake Gelnovatch has played every minute this year at keeper, compiling a 1.12 GAA and a .711 GAA.
MAKING THE OTHER TEAMS GREIVE
Greive is on a roll as the Norse battle through the second half of the 2019 slate. The junior currently leads the team with eight goals, which came in a three-match span against arguably the best two teams in the Horizon League and Berea. His hat-trick effort against UIC garnered him Horizon League Offensive Player of the Week honors on October 7.
BRINGING DOWN LAST YEAR'S GOLIATHS
A season ago, Wright State won the Horizon League regular-season title and UIC won the Tournament. In back-to-back games, NKU defeated both teams by results of 2-1 and 3-2, respectively.
PRESEASON POLLING
Northern Kentucky was selected to finish sixth in this year's Horizon League preseason poll, receiving 46 points. Wright State, last year's regular season champion, topped the poll with 74 points and four first-place votes. UIC, which won the Horizon League Tournament a year ago, was the clear second choice, garnering 69 points and the remaining five first-place votes.
A YEAR AGO
NKU finished its 2018 campaign with a 10-7 overall and 3-5 record in the Horizon League. The Norse showed off a capable offense, scoring 2.18 goals a game thanks much in part to returning leading scorer Alex Willis, who finished the year with 16 goals. Greive and Probert, who also return, put up five goals apiece. Barkei led NKU between the posts for much of the season, playing in 12 games, accumulating 45 saves and donning an 8-4 record.
TAKING A LOOK AT THE SQUAD
The Norse return 13 players from last year's team and add 11 newcomers to the fold for 2019. Brendan Auguste, Daniel Bermingham, Gianni Bouzoukis, Gino Geiser, Ryan Godding, Maan, Samuel Nwosu, Mahamud Osman, Josiah Pokopac, Sallows and Ali Zohar are all in their first season at NKU.
RIDDLE ME THIS
Head coach Stu Riddle is in his third season leading the program, and it is his 11th season as a head coach. He has an overall record of 82-87-26. Since his hiring, NKU has seen steady improvement, with last year's 10-7 campaign being the most wins in the program's Division I era.
