HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – The Northern Kentucky men's soccer team (3-1) extended its winning streak to three with a 2-1 victory over Cleveland State (2-2) in double overtime.
"We're obviously very delighted to pick up three points on the road," said head coach Stu Riddle. This was our first road game in close to 16 months and we've been really stressing to the players that this was a business trip. We were here to get three points and put ourselves toward the top of the standings, so I'm very pleased with the attitude and the mentality from the players and the staff that led to those three points today, and we're very excited about where we stand. We're going to go again; we've got plenty more top games coming up and it's one game at a time. We're looking forward to next week's challenge."
NKU SCORING SUMMARY
BETWEEN THE POSTS
- Daniel Bermingham had a great game for the Norse, facing 24 shots, eight of which were on goal, and making seven saves.
MATCH SUMMARY
- Stian Jørgensen was given a yellow card in the third minute.
- After a pair of shots by Cleveland State, NKU found a quick run and capitalized in the seventh minute. Robinson dished to Karlsen in the run-up, who nabbed the goal to take an early lead.
- Four shots and three corner kicks poured in from Cleveland State until NKU's next shot attempt almost 15 minutes later.
- The Norse made it to the offensive-third in the 21st minute, where Zaffino took a good shot on goal. A little over a minute later, Bufton also took a shot, missing high.
- Zaffino was awarded a yellow card in the 23rd minute, while Cleveland State was given two by the 27th minute.
- The first half ended with a few more shot attempts by the Vikings, but NKU held steady to go into the break ahead by a goal.
- Bermingham faced a pair of shots in the first three minutes of the new half, one of which was on target and saved.
- Sam Slocum received a yellow card in the 53rd minute. Cleveland State received one as well 10 minutes later.
- Cleveland State still controlled possession heading into the 69th minute, finding a corner kick and a shot opportunity, but the score still remained in NKU's favor at 1-0.
- The difference in quality shots finally caught up to the Norse, as Cleveland State netted the equalizer in the 80th minute of the match.
- Looking for the game-winner, Robinson and Sallows each had shot attempts in the final minute of regulation, but neither made it past the keeper.
- Cleveland State controlled the first overtime, getting a pair of shots and three corner kicks.
- NKU rebounded in the second overtime putting on the pressure with shots coming from Robinson and Hegge.
- Hegge delivered the ball to Sallows in the 108th minute for the game-winning goal to the lower-left corner of the net.
NORSE NOTES
- Karlsen's goal is the first of his career. He is also the third Norse newcomer this season to find the back of the net.
- Sallows' goal is his first since his brace versus Berea on Oct. 9, 2019.
- Hegge gets his first-career point with the game-winning assist.
- Bermingham's seven saves is the most since Baj Maan had nine against Louisville on Oct. 15, 2019.
- NKU's 24 shots faced is the most in a Norse win in the Division I era.
- This is NKU's best start in Horizon League play since the 2015 season.
- Along with the victory over Milwaukee, NKU has now defeated two Horizon League opponents that defeated the Norse a year ago.
UP NEXT
- NKU plays IUPUI on the road this Saturday at 2:00 p.m.
