The Northern Kentucky University women’s soccer team defeated Vanderbilt 1-0 on Sunday evening after Jessica Frey netted her first goal of the season in the 103rd minute to break a scoreless tie at the Vandy Soccer Complex.
“I’m really proud of all of our players for the way we competed throughout the entire 102-plus minute match,” said head coach Bob Sheehan. “Our defensive effort was outstanding and we created great scoring opportunities throughout the match. I’m proud of the effort we put forth and I’m really happy for Jessica to have scored her first goal of the season on a game-winner against an SEC program.”
“It was a really exciting win,” commented Frey. “It was tough for me, not being able to score in the last few games, but this goal is definitely one to remember. I think it gives us a lot of confidence going into Horizon League play next weekend. We are motivated and excited and know that we have what we need to win.”
With the win, NKU improves to 3-4-0 while Vanderbilt dips to 4-4-0.
Frey scored the game-winner on an unassisted shot after dribbling through the box and firing a shot into the bottom left corner in the second overtime period, ending the game at the 102:24 mark.
Sophomore goalkeeper Emily Lohmann logged all 102:24 minutes in goal, notching four saves and 15 shots faced. The shutout was Lohmann’s third clean sheet of the season, and third of her career. Vandy goalkeeper Kaitlyn Fahrner posted three saves and one goal allowed.
NKU controlled possession in the early going, out-shooting Vanderbilt 4-0 in the first 14 minutes on shots from Ally Perkins, Macy Hamblin and two from Rachel Conaway.
The Norse defense held Vanderbilt without a shot for the first 29 minutes. The Commodores’ first shot on goal did not come until the 34th minute of action. Northern Kentucky totaled five shots through the first stanza while Vanderbilt managed two.
Vandy went on to post 10 shots in the second half, but Lohmann came up with three big saves in the half to keep the Commodores scoreless. Within the first 15 minutes of the second period, both Frey and Hamblin fired shots off the crossbar for two of NKU’s six shots in the second half.
Three of Vanderbilt’s 10 shots in the second half were blocked by NKU defenders. Hamblin fired four shots in the second half while freshman Shawna Zaken posted a shot on goal.
Vanderbilt managed three shots in the first overtime period but still could not break through the Norse defense. NKU’s only shot between the pair of overtimes was Frey’s goal.
Norse Notes
— Hamblin has posted five shots in each of her last three games, a season high for any NKU player. The junior has 17 total shot attempts across four games played, good for second on the team behind Frey’s 19 total in seven games played.
— The match-up at Vandy was NKU women’s soccer’s first match against an SEC opponent, making the Norse 1-0 against the SEC all-time.
— The goal was Frey’s 13th career goal. Four of the junior’s 13 goals have been game-winners.
The Norse open Horizon League play at Green Bay on Friday, Sept. 16. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. ET.
From NKU Athletics