HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – The Northern Kentucky University men's soccer team is set to open its 2019 campaign on Friday night against Grand Canyon in Phoenix, Arizona. The game will be televised on Univision (ESPAÑOL), as well as YouTube.

NORTHERN KENTUCKY vs. GRAND CANYON

Friday, Aug. 30 – 10:00 p.m. ET – Phoenix, Arizona – Univision / YouTube
 

SERIES HISTORY

This is NKU's first-ever meeting with Grand Canyon.
 

TUNING UP FOR THE REGULAR SEASON

NKU participated in a pair of preseason exhibition games this season. The Norse kicked off their first real action of the year with a matchup at No. 8 Kentucky. Neither team scored before the match ended early in the 62nd minute due to stormy weather. 

On Sunday, NKU hosted Tiffin, who ranks 18th in Division II. The Norse bested the Dragons, 5-1, in a match that saw four NKU players get a shot past the goalkeeper. Notably, Alex Willis nearly reached a hat trick in the contest, as a possible goal was called offsides,  and defender T.J. Harris was also a goal-scorer.
 

SCOUTING THE OPPONENT

Grand Canyon is coming off a historic 12-8-1 2018 campaign that culminated in its first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance. After winning the WAC title by defeating San Jose State, 1-0, the Lopes almost reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament, but ultimately fell to UC Irvine by a single penalty kick. GCU returns three All-WAC players from a year ago: Marious Andreou, George Tasouris and Calvin Kissi
 

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, who 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 their 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 Grieve and Connor Probert, who also return, put up five goals apiece. The now-graduated Jim 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, Baj Maan, Samuel Nwosu, Mahamud Osman, Josiah Pokopac, Brodie 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 78-81-25. 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.