HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – The Northern Kentucky University women's soccer team will take on Murray State on Sunday before they embark on a set of four-straight games on the road.
NORTHERN KENTUCKY vs. MURRAY STATE
Sunday, Sept. 1 – 1:00 p.m. – NKU Soccer Stadium – ESPN+
SERIES HISTORY
Murray State leads 3-1-1. In their last matchup on September 19, 2018, NKU lost to the Racers, 2-1.
LAST TIME OUT
NKU fell to Butler, 2-1, on Thursday night after the Bulldogs netted a late goal in the 84th minute. The Norse goal came off a header from Chloe Mills in the 47th minute, with the assist coming from Hannah Fischer after taking a free kick near midfield. Mimi Stines faced 22 shots on the evening and recorded seven saves as goalkeeper.
SCOUTING THE OPPONENT
Murray State visits Highland Heights with a 1-1 record. The Racers lost to Xavier, 3-4, in second overtime on August 22 and defeated Samford, 2-0, on Thursday night. Miyah Watford leads the team with three goals this season after a 10-goal 2018 campaign. Rebecca Kubin is the only other Racer to score a goal this year.
GOALS FOR EVERYBODY
A different Norse has scored every NKU goal this season: Kailey Ivins, Chloe Mills, Megan Patrick, Ally Perkins and Shawna Zaken have each started the young season with a goal.
THIS YEAR'S SQUAD
The Norse return 16 players from last year's team, including leading scorer Shawna Zaken, and welcome nine newcomers to the squad. Taylor Abbott, Annie Greene, Kiley Keehan, Jamie Lehker, Lindsey Meyer, Mimi Stines, Megan Sullivan, Shelby Wall and Kayla Wypasek are in their first seasons at NKU.
PRESEASON POLLING
Northern Kentucky was picked to finish second in the Horizon League preseason poll, receiving 79 points. Four-time defending Horizon League champion Milwaukee was picked to win its fifth-consecutive championship this year, garnering 90 points and eight first-place votes.
A YEAR AGO
The Norse finished their 2018 campaign with a 10-6-1 overall and 6-2-1 record in the Horizon League. NKU sported a 7-1 record when leading at the half and averaged 1.35 goals per match. Shawna Zaken led the Norse with six goals and five assists, followed by the now-graduated Samantha Duwel's five goals and five assists. Emily Lohmann, who has since graduated, started every match at goalkeeper for the Norse, making 60 saves for an 0.811 save percentage and a 0.91 goals against average.
HEAD COACH BOB SHEEHAN
Bob Sheehan is in his 23rd season at the helm of the NKU women's soccer team. He sports a 316-108-29 (.733) all-time record. His teams are 24-7-5 in Horizon League regular-season play.
