MACOMB, Ill. – Northern Kentucky University Norse Men's Soccer headed west for another road test on Sunday afternoon, taking on the Western Illinois Leathernecks. Ali Taleb scored a big second-half winner for the Norse to give NKU its second win of the 2025 season. 

THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Northern Kentucky – 1, Western Illinois – 0
LOCATION: Northwest Field – Macomb, Ill. 
RECORDS: NKU: 2-1-0 (0-0-0 HL), WIU: 1-3-0 (0-0-0 OVC)

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
– Alex Kron came up big with a penalty kick save in the 26th minute, diving right to keep the score level. 
– Ali Taleb netted his second goal of the season in the 74th minute, lifting NKU past Western Illinois.
– The Norse outshot the Leathernecks 13-8, and 9-4 on goal. 
– The Norse registered just four corner kicks to WIU's nine. 
– The second half saw things get chippy, as five yellow cards were issued out to Norse players.

NEXT UP
Northern Kentucky Men's Soccer heads back home next weekend, taking on Belmont at 7 PM. 
 
FOLLOW NKU NORSE MEN'S SOCCER
Get in the game and follow Northern Kentucky's NCAA Division I women's soccer team through @NKUNorseSOC on Twitter, @NKUNorseMSOC on Instagram, nkunorseMsoc on Facebook and subscribe to the NKU Norse YouTube channel.