Just after the 70-minute mark, NKU led Morehead State 4-0 with graduate student Lily Yordy quickly penetrating the Eagles’ defense and driving down the pitch. With sharp cuts and nifty moves, Yordy found herself in a prime position to put the game on ice. With a sweep of her leg, Yordy snuck the ball just beyond the goalkeeper’s outstretched arm for her second goal of the day, securing the Norse’s third straight home win of their young season.
Before Sunday’s game, NKU is 2-0 at home to start the season, with blowout wins against Austin Peay and Mount St. Joseph, scoring 10 total goals in the stretch, and sits atop the Horizon League standings with a record of 2-0-2. Although their offense has been on full display, their defense has been on point, allowing only two goals across the first five games of their season.
“Yeah, they’ve been great again. They’ve been really organized,” said head coach Bob Sheehan.
“I think their shape is great. They cover for each other. We try to teach them to be very clinical in their defensive shape and positioning and they’ve really embraced it,” Sheehan said.
NKU women’s soccer took on the Morehead State Eagles Sunday at Scudamore Stadium in Highland Heights, Kentucky. Against the Eagles, the Norse are a near-perfect 5-0-1 and look to continue their dominance over Morehead State.
In the first half, Morehead State was aggressive out of the gates, with a corner kick just after the two-minute mark by Morehead State’s Hannah Carter just missing, eventually being saved by the NKU goalkeeper, Megan Gessner.
That proved to be the lone Eagle shot on goal as Morehead State had their hands full on defense. Just after the 9-minute mark, Yordy of the Norse, with an assist from Sophia Kapszukiewicz, scored the game’s first goal. Just 23 seconds later, the Eagles scored. In their own net. A clearance attempt after a cross sailed over the goalkeeper.
Morehead State, as if not gracious enough, then scored yet another own goal to stretch the lead, 3-0 Norse. NKU then played keep away, milking the last few minutes out of the half to go into the break up 3-0.
During the halftime discussion, the Eagles focused on increasing their offensive intensity as Jade Walton of the Eagles started the second half with three-straight shots on goal from inside the goalie’s box. However, Gessner had other ideas, saving all three to end Morehead State’s early push.
The Eagles, like in the first half, were unable to bring any pressure offensively after their first attempts, while the Norse were clicking on all cylinders. Towards the end of the 61-minute mark, Yordy made herself useful yet again, assisting Natalie Newman for NKU’s fourth goal of the day.
Just 10 minutes later, with the Norse on the heels of their third-straight home win, Morehead State’s defense broke down, allowing Yordy to dribble down the pitch and score her second goal of the day, putting the game out of reach for the Eagles.
NKU inked the remaining clock, securing the win in shutout fashion and improving their record to 3-0-2 on their young season. Graduate Student Lily Yordy led the charge with two goals and an assist, furthering her campaign for the Horizon League Player of the Year.
The Norse begin a tough three-game road stretch against Ohio next Thursday at 4 p.m., followed by games at Cincinnati and Eastern Kentucky, beginning at 6 p.m. and 4 p.m.
“This is the test. I mean, this is what we try to do. We put our team in really tough environments.” Sheehan said.
NKU looks to keep their undefeated streak alive and widen their margin atop the Horizon League standings.