The NKU women’s soccer team improved its season record to 5-0 on Friday evening as they defeated No. 15, Tusculum College, 2-1 at Town and Country in Wilder, KY. Carey Hebbeler scored the game winning goal for the Norse early in the second half.

The Norse offense controlled much of the first half by keeping the ball on the Pioneer side of the field. However, the high-powered offense of NKU, who is currently averaging 3.4 goals per game, was held to only a single goal on seven shots through the first 45 minutes of play. Tusculum was unable to keep control of the ball for long periods of time and was held by NKU to only three shots in the first half.

Coach Bob Sheehan says that the front-runners of NKU “kept the Tusculum defense off balance and the mid-fielders really making quality runs and getting some nice services across the box and I thought our defenders really stepped up and denied the front runners the ball.” According to Sheehan, the team performed well and as a unit were able to keep control of the ball and limit the shots that Tusculum was able to get off. Overall he was pleased with the way the team performed.

NKU struck first at the 32:05 mark in the first half with a goal by senior Bessie Black who was assisted by Stephanie Sandfoss. Tusculum returned with a goal from freshman Amber Ferchaud, who was assisted by Tara Henderson at 41:49, just over nine minutes after NKU started the scoring. Carey Hebbeler then scored the game-winning goal with a 40-yard direct kick at the 52:54 mark, seven minutes into the second half.

The Norse came out aggressive in the second half, firing four shots on goal early in the half, but failed to get another shot off the rest of the game. According to Sheehan, the team lost some of the momentum in the second half and “they (Tusculum) picked it up another notch.”

The Norse have been tested in back-to-back games against top 20 teams and have come out victorious in each of them. Sheehan feels that the team has progressed in the four weeks they have been together, and they can continue to progress and become better as a team as the season moves on. The Norse begin their quest for another GLVC crown this Friday against Southern Indiana at home in their first conference matchup of the season.