CHICAGO – The Northern Kentucky men's soccer team (7-1) won its seventh game in a row, downing No. 24 UIC (6-2-1), 1-0, at Flames Field on Tuesday afternoon. The win gives NKU its first-ever Horizon League regular-season title.  

"What can you say? So proud of this group," said head coach Stu Riddle. "This is our first-ever Horizon League championship and first at the Division I level, seven wins in a row and we just beat a top-25 team in the nation that had been undefeated in 26 games at home. We've got a home semifinal and hopefully a home final and NCAA run to look forward to as well. I'm delighted for everyone, very pleased with my coaching staff and very pleased for the administration and alumni who have been so supportive of us."  

NKU SCORING SUMMARY 

• Ben Hegge had the only goal of the match in the 78th minute.  

BETWEEN THE POSTS 

• Daniel Bermingham had a career day at keeper, notching a new best of 12 saves after facing 18 shots for the clean sheet.  

MATCH SUMMARY 

• Both teams felt each other out in the opening 14 minutes with not much action coming offensively outside of a UIC shot that Bermingham saved. 
• Bufton placed a shot to the center and high in the 15th minute, but it was pulled in by UIC's goalkeeper.  
• Bufton took another shot four minutes later, but it was blocked by a UIC defender.  
• The 32nd minute was a busy one. Bermingham stuffed a shot low and to the center and Deryn Armstrong delivered a similar ball to UIC's keeper. The ball then made it's way back down to the opposite end and forced Bermingham to make a save up high.  
• Sam Robinson closed out the half for NKU with another good attempt on goal in the 42nd minute, but the game was still scoreless heading into the break.  
• Outside of an on-target shot by Tobias Karlsen in the 50th minute, UIC did a great job of preventing opportunities in the early portion of the second half.  
• NKU won a corner kick in the 78th minute and that was all the Norse needed. Ryan Godding improved on his exceptional track record with corner kicks, servicing one in good position. Hegge found it from the top-quarter of the penalty area and drilled the ball past multiple defenders and into the net, giving NKU the lead.  
• UIC found two more on-target attempts, but Bermingham was a brick wall between the posts, securing the win for the Norse.  

NORSE NOTES 

• UIC was ranked 24th in the nation in the United Soccer Coaches poll heading into the match, giving NKU its first ranked victory of the Division I era. 
• The Flames hadn't lost a home game since Sept. 16, 2017 against Wright State.  
• Bermingham's 12 saves in the match is a new high for NKU's Division I era.  
• The goal by Hegge is the first of his career.  
• The last time NKU won seven games in a row was nearly a decade ago between Sept. 1, 2011 and Sept. 23, 2011.

UP NEXT 

• NKU has a bye in the final week of league action and awaits the announcement of its first opponent in the Horizon League Tournament. That game will take place on April 11 at NKU Soccer Stadium.