HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – The Northern Kentucky University men's soccer team (1-2-1, 0-0-0 HL) opens Horizon League play on Saturday when it takes on IUPUI (1-1-1, 0-0-0 HL) at NKU Soccer Stadium.


NORTHERN KENTUCKY vs. IUPUI
Saturday, Sept. 14 – 7:00 p.m. – NKU Soccer Stadium – ESPN+
 
SERIES HISTORY
The series is currently tied between NKU and IUPUI at 3-3-3. The Norse lost their last matchup against IUPUI in overtime, 2-1, on Oct. 28, 2018.
 
 
LAST TIME OUT
NKU's first win of the season came on Sunday when it defeated, Canisius, 2-0, in Buffalo, NY. Connor Probert had the game-winning goal in the 33rd minute with an unassisted shot that slipped between the keepers' legs and into the bottom-left corner of the net. Alex Willis tacked on his second goal of the year in the 79th minute with assists from Brodie Sallows and Probert.
 
SCOUTING THE OPPONENT
IUPUI is currently 1-1-1 on the year and is coming off its first win of the season with a 2-0 victory over Purdue Fort Wayne. Alan Aguilar currently leads the Jaguars with a pair of goals after leading the team a year ago. Sophomore keeper Quinn McCallion has played every minute for IUPUI, making 11 saves and surrendering two goals.
 
THE FRESHMAN KEEPER
Baj Maan has had a great start in filling the graduated Jim Barkei's shoes at goalkeeper. Through four games, the Brampton, Ontario, Canada native has faced 52 shots, made 20 saves and played every minute this year for the Norse. His total saves mark is good for 10th best in the country and is second best in the Horizon League.
 
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 78-82-25. 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.