ORANGE BEACH, Ala. – The Northern Kentucky women's soccer team was defeated by Middle Tennessee, 2-1, in their first preseason exhibition match of the 2019 season on Tuesday. In a contest that featured three 30-minute periods, the Norse were struck with damaging offside calls that prevented them from winning by a goal.

"We've developed a great relationship with Middle Tennessee and this match will serve us well," said head coach Bob Sheehan. "They are a strong opponent with multiple special players. Both teams managed the extreme heat as well as possible.

"We showed promise in attacking and defending, but we made a couple mistakes that a good team will capitalize on. However, these learning opportunities are correctable. If we were just slightly more aware in the final third, the three goals would've stood."
 
NKU SCORING SUMMARY

• Shelby Wall scored the lone NKU goal in the second period after being fed from the midfield by Shawna Zaken.

MATCH SUMMARY

• NKU's first stroke of bad luck came in the first period. A goal by Zaken was called back because she was offside.
• Middle Tennessee brought in the first goal of the morning after receiving a penalty kick in the second period. Wall's goal later knotted the game up at one apiece.
• Later in the second, newcomer Lindsey Meyer and Norse senior Ally Perkins found themselves in a two-on-one situation with Middle Tennesee's goalkeeper. After Perkins netted in a shot, it was called back for offsides.
• Middle Tennessee scored the game winning goal in the 66th minute of the contest.

 
MATCH/OTHER NOTES

• Dayton transfer Mimi Stines had multiple important saves in her first game with the Norse.
• Sarah Cady made a challenging save in a friendly penalty-kick shootout following the game.

 
UP NEXT
The Norse return home to NKU Soccer Stadium on Saturday for their last exhibition tune-up before the regular season campaign begins. They'll square off with Morehead State at 7:00 p.m.