HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – The Northern Kentucky University men's soccer team (1-3-1, 0-1 HL) plays the first of three-straight matches on the road when they take on Cleveland State (1-2-1, 0-1 HL) on Saturday night. The match begins at 7:00 p.m. and streaming will be available on ESPN+.
NORTHERN KENTUCKY at CLEVELAND STATE
Saturday, Sept. 20 – 7:00 p.m. – Cleveland, Ohio – ESPN+
SERIES HISTORY
NKU leads the series 2-0-2. The Norse defeated the Vikings, 2-1, in their last matchup on October 20, 2018.
LAST TIME OUT
The Norse opened Horizon League play with a 2-1 loss to IUPUI on Saturday night at NKU Soccer Stadium. Defender TJ Harris scored NKU's only goal of the evening in the 9th minute after a perfect leftward-cross from Will Hunt, who received his first start of the year. Baj Maan had five saves in the contest. After a strong attack in the early minutes by the Norse, IUPUI did a much better job at swinging possession into their favor, setting up scoring opportunities that ultimately won the game.
SCOUTING THE OPPONENT
Cleveland State sits at 1-2-1 and are currently on a two-game losing streak, losing to Bowling Green and Horizon League foe Oakland by scores of 1-0. The Vikings' only tie of the season notably came against Louisville, who was No. 14 in the United Soccer Coaches poll and is still receiving votes. Five different players have scored a goal for Cleveland State this season as Gabe Pewu leads the squad with two.
PROBERT'S INCREASING ROLE
In his last year as a Norse, senior Connor Probert is making a significant contribution to the season box score. The New Zealand native owns a goal and three assists to his name, with the latter being half of what he recorded a year ago. After placing 13 shots on goal last season, he's already at 10.
THE FRESHMAN KEEPER
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 62 shots, made 24 saves and played every minute this year for the Norse. Thanks to his solid play, NKU is 28th in the nation for saves for game, averaging five.
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 79-84-26. 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.
