HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – The Northern Kentucky women's soccer team hosted a familiar foe as former Great Lakes Valley Conference rival Bellarmine came to NKU Soccer Stadium and played the Norse to an even draw on Thursday evening.
 
THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Bellarmine – 0, Northern Kentucky 0
LOCATION: NKU Soccer Stadium – Highland Heights, Ky.
RECORDS: Bellarmine: 0-1-3 (0-0-0 ASUN), Northern Kentucky: 0-3-1 (0-0-0 HL)
 
INSIDE THE NORSE BOX SCORE
- Mickayla Kowalski made her first start in goal for the Norse this season and stepped up in a big way to post her first clean sheet of 2022. It was also the first shutout of her collegiate career. She turned aside four shots by the Knights to help lead NKU to the draw. The Harrison, Ohio native has not allowed a goal in her three appearances this season, a span of over 156 minutes.
- Allison King posted NKU's shot on goal.
- The Norse led the Knights in corners by a 3-0 margin.
- NKU and Bellarmine have battled to scoreless ties against one another in each of the past two seasons. The Norse and Knights were former conference rivals in NCAA Division II's Great Lakes Valley Conference. Northern Kentucky joined the NCAA Division I ranks in 2012 while BU made the leap in 2020.

HOW IT HAPPENED
- The two sides battled to an even 0-0 first half, in what was a defensive 45 minutes as the Norse and Knights felt each other out.
- Action picked up in the second, as each team was able to put five shots at the net.
- Neither squad could break the deadlock after 90 minutes though to seal the non-conference tie.

FOR THE FOES
- Elyssa Francis turned aside NKU's shot on net to post a clean sheet in goal for the Knights.
- Bellarmine has now recorded three straight draws against Horizon League opponents to start the season, after it dropped its season opener to Wright State. The Knights have notched six stalemates against Horizon foes in the past two years.
 
NEXT UP
Northern Kentucky will take to the road for a Sunday showdown against Evansville, set for a 2 PM ET (1 PM CT) kickoff at Arad McCutchan Stadium. The game will be stream live in front of a national audience on ESPN+. NKU fans and supporters can watch the game here.
 

FOLLOW NKU NORSE WOMEN'S SOCCER
Get in the game and follow Northern Kentucky's women's college soccer team through @NKUNorseWSOC on Twitter, @NKUNorseWSOC on Instagram, nkunorsewsoc on Facebook and subscribe to the NKU Norse Youtube channel.