HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – The Northern Kentucky University men's soccer team (4-7-1, 2-3 Horizon League) begins a stretch of five of its final six games at home on Saturday night when the Norse take on Green Bay.
NORTHERN KENTUCKY vs. GREEN BAY
Saturday, Oct. 19 – 7:00 p.m. – NKU Soccer Stadium – ESPN3
SERIES HISTORY
Green Bay leads the series 3-2. The Norse defeated the Phoenix, 2-1, in their last matchup on Sept. 15, 2018.
LAST TIME OUT
The Norse put up a proficient defensive effort on Tuesday despite falling to Louisville, 1-0, in overtime. The Cardinals came into the match receiving votes in the United Soccer Coaches poll and sent a plethora of shots toward NKU keeper Baj Maan during the match, who came up with nine saves on 24 shots faced. Although NKU's offense struggled in the final third, the midfield did well at getting the ball there throughout the match.
SCOUTING THE OPPONENT
Green Bay arrives in Highland Heights with a 3-6-3 overall and 2-3 Horizon League record. Fredi Ortega and Andre Baires lead the Phoenix offensive output with three and two goals, respectively. Jamison Yoder has started 10 games this season at GK, making 32 saves and compiling a 1.68 GAA. Yoder is currently on a two-game streak of clean sheets.
MAKING THE OTHER TEAMS GREIVE
Alex 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. Alex 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 82-88-26. 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.
