HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – The Northern Kentucky University women's soccer team plays its final nonconference match of the season when the Norse take on Xavier on Thursday at the XU Soccer Complex. Kickoff is slated for 7:00 p.m. and the game will be streamed on Xavier All-Access.
NORTHERN KENTUCKY at XAVIER
Thursday, Sept. 12 – 7:00 p.m. – XU Soccer Complex – Xavier All-Access
SERIES HISTORY
Xavier leads the series 4-1-1. The Norse defeated the Musketeers, 1-0, in their last matchup on August 23, 2018.
LAST TIME OUT
The Norse fought their way back into the win column with a 3-1 result over Eastern Kentucky on Sunday.
Shawna Zaken had her second two-goal game of the season, netting shots in the 6th and 29th minutes. Pushing the Norse lead even further was
Ally Perkins with her second goal of the season.
Kailey Ivins generated a pair of assists in the game, moving her season total to four, which is the best on the team.
SCOUTING THE OPPONENT
Xavier is off to a strong start to 2019 with a 4-1-1 record. Samantha Dewey leads the Musketeers' offensive efforts with five goals and a trio of assists. Sophomore Olivia Jenkins has been the starting keeper for the last three games, allowing four goals and making four saves on 21 shots faced. Xavier has been forced into the second overtime on three occasions this season, including a 4-3 win over Murray State, who the Norse defeated earlier this year, 3-1.
SCINTILLATING STINES
Mimi Stines has had a phenomenal start to her first season as a Norse. The Dayton transfer made her collegiate debut at goalkeeper in NKU's season opener at Lipscomb, where she took home a clean sheet in the 4-0 victory. She currently has 36 saves on the year through six games, which leads the Horizon League and is eleventh best in the nation.
ZAKEN'S QUICK START
Shawna Zaken picked up right where she left off her junior season. After leading the Norse a year ago with six goals, she already has five, netting one goal at Lipscomb, two against Murray State and another pair at Eastern Kentucky.
PRESEASON FAVORITE? NO PROBLEM.
Through six games, NKU has already knocked off two teams that are defending conference champions and preseason favorites to win their leagues. Lipscomb won the Atlantic Sun Conference Championship after a 15-5-2 season and Murray State won the Ohio Valley Conference Championship with a 13-5-1 record.
GOALS FOR EVERYBODY
Six different Norse have scored a goal this season:
Kailey Ivins,
Chloe Mills,
Megan Patrick,
Ally Perkins,
Kayla Wypasek and
Shawna Zaken.
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 319-109-29 all-time record. His teams are 24-7-5 in Horizon League regular-season play.
