NKU women’s soccer celebrated their seniors in style Saturday, honoring their careers before their matchup against Robert Morris. Each graduating player was presented with flowers, a personalized framed jersey and applause from family, teammates and fans who packed the stands. The day carried a sense of gratitude and pride, setting the stage for the Norse to keep their undefeated home streak intact.
The Norse currently sit at 6-2-4 overall, with a 3-1 mark in conference play. After a tough loss on the road against the division-leading Milwaukee Panthers, NKU looked to take advantage of the Colonials’ early-season struggles.
At home, the Norse have been dominant, boasting a perfect 4-0 record, having not allowed a single goal against Austin Peay, Mount Saint Joseph, Morehead State or Oakland, and tallying 14 total goals in that stretch.
NKU jumped ahead in the 24th minute when Junior Megan Molner finished a sharp play created by Seniors Emilie Doersching and Meghan Belrose. That early breakthrough set the tone for the rest of the half.
The Norse kept their foot on the gas, pressing forward and forcing Robert Morris to defend deep into their own territory. The Colonials’ midfield struggled to link passes, and their lone first-half shot came from distance, easily saved by NKU goalie Megan Gessner.
Coming out of halftime, the Norse showed no signs of letting up as Freshman Olivia Lengal made a perfect pass that split between two Robert Morris defenders. Doersching ran into it and calmly slotted the ball past the goalie to make it 2-0. The goal energized the crowd and gave NKU complete control of the game.
Barely 10 minutes later, the Norse struck again when Belrose, who had been dangerous all afternoon, sent in another perfect pass that found Junior Sophia Kapszukiewicz near the penalty box, where Kapszukiewicz one-timed the ball into the net for NKU’s third goal, showing both composure and great finishing ability.
The Colonials, rattled after conceding twice in quick succession, picked up back-to-back yellow cards in the 55th and 63rd minutes as frustration began to grow.
The final blow came in the 81st minute, as graduate student Lily Yordy pounced on a pass from Sophomore Avery Mueller and drilled home her fifth goal of the year. The strike capped off the afternoon and ensured NKU’s fifth shutout win at home this season.
NKU’s high-power offense was on full display, with four different players scoring. The Norse outshot Robert Morris 20-7, put nine attempts on target, and earned nine corner kicks while not allowing the Colonials a single one.
Defensively, NKU’s back line held firm, closing down space quickly and denying RMU clear looks at the goal. The clean sheet marked another strong outing for the Norse defense, which has been one of the stingiest units in the Horizon League.
NKU will look to carry their momentum at home against Cleveland State next Wednesday at 6 p.m. on ESPN+.