The Northern Kentucky University men’s soccer team struck for a pair of first-half goals and never looked back on Sunday evening as it defeated Kentucky, 3-0, in exhibition in front of an NKU Soccer Stadium record crowd of 2,522 fans.
“We may not be more talented than all of our opponents, but one thing we can do is out-work them and today was an example of that. If we continue to work hard, I’ll be happy, win, lose or draw. That’s all I’m looking for,” said NKU head coach John Basalyga. “It’s good for our team to see what all that work in practice does and how it can pay off, and we’ll take that with us into the regular season.”
Kobie Qualah got the scoring started, just 13 minutes into the game. The junior dribbled inside the box and fired a shot from the close left wing to the back right of the goal.
Later in the half, Campbell Morris netted an insurance goal on a rebound after his initial shot was deflected by UK goalkeeper Stuart Ford in the 41st minute.
The final goal of the game was launched by Johannes Jansen on a penalty kick in the 73rd minute to ice the game.
Christian Carey earned the starting nod in goal, playing the entire first half and recording one save.
Freshman Jared Leyland stepped in goal in the second half and registered two saves and faced 14 shots. Leyland helped NKU hold UK scoreless in their five corner kick attempts in the second half.
UK goalkeepers Stuart Ford and Braedon Luna faced eight shots from the NKU offense, recording a pair of saves each.
NKU suffocated the UK offense out of the gate, holding the Wildcats to six total shots in the opening frame, only one of which was on goal.
Meanwhile, Morris posted two shot attempts, both on target in the opening frame, as he handed NKU its 2-0 lead heading to the half.
NKU held the Wildcats to just three shots on goal in 20 total shot attempts throughout the match.
The Norse were efficient in their shot attempts, firing eight total, five of which were on target.
Jansen led NKU with three shots, two on goal including one goal scored.
Norse Notes
— NKU shattered the previous NKU Soccer Stadium record crowd of 2,188 set at last year’s exhibition against UK.
Up Next
The Norse open the regular season against Eastern Illinois at home on Friday, Aug. 26 at 7 p.m. The match is set to air on ESPN3.
From NKU Athletics