Men’s Soccer:
The NKU Men’s Soccer team wasn’t just battling the cold on Saturday night, but also the well-organized defense of Oakland. The Golden Grizzlies struck early and held their lead for the full 90 minutes, defeating the Norse in their final home match of the season.
Oakland broke through in the 9th minute when Miller Knestrict found himself in a one-on-one with NKU Goalkeeper Alex Kron, after a good combination on the right side. The midfielder made no mistake, scoring the opening goal with the guests’ first shot of the game.
The early goal served as a wake-up call for the Norse, who responded with three consecutive corner kicks and several close chances that narrowly missed the target. Despite controlling much of the play and outshooting Oakland 13-6, NKU couldn’t capitalize their opportunities.
Even the mascot’s halftime efforts to rally the crowd couldn’t change the fact that Oakland made the most of its chances.
In the 52nd minute, Caleb Frakes nearly equalized with a spectacular volley off a long cross from the left, missing the top corner by just inches.
Oakland had other plans and made NKU pay again in the 63rd minute, turning a free kick into their second goal of the night. After NKU’s Bennett Gerak was shown a warning, a free kick from Gabriel Baylon was headed in by Andriy Bilous to make it 2-0 for the guests.
The Norse’s attacking rhythm faded after the second goal, and Oakland managed the game effectively to protect their lead. NKU’s final notable chance came from a long-range effort by junior Steven Boaghe Braniste, but the Oakland goalkeeper comfortably saved it.
NKU ends its home schedule with a loss, undone by missed chances despite dominating shots and corner kicks by 6-5.
The Norse now head to Milwaukee for a Halloween-night matchup with the Panthers before closing out the season on the road against Purdue Fort Wayne. They need to pick up points on the road to stay in the picture for the Horizon League tournament.
Women’s soccer:
In the 62nd minute, NKU held a narrow lead over Youngstown State after scoring two straight goals. Determined to extend the advantage, the Penguins fouled graduate student Lily Yordy, giving her a free kick from close range.
With players and fans watching intently, Yordy stepped up and fired a shot toward the goal. Youngstown State’s keeper managed the initial save, but Yordy wasn’t finished, as she pounced on the rebound and slotted it home to put the Norse up 3–1.
In their powder pink jerseys, worn to spread breast cancer awareness, NKU women’s soccer faced the Youngstown State Penguins on Saturday in their final home game of the season. With a spotless record at home, the Norse looked to protect their streak against a Penguins squad chasing them in the standings.
In the first half, both offenses generated scoring chances, with NKU recording 15 free kicks and seven shots on goal. Youngstown State was less efficient in attack, but Kamryn Rosa broke through in the 40th minute off a Kate Makkas assist to give the Penguins a 1–0 lead.
Just two minutes later, Senior Emilie Doershing answered for the Norse, netting the equalizer to send the game into halftime tied at 1–1.
Coming out of halftime, NKU carried their first-half momentum into the second, as junior Erykah Cornett found the back of the net just three minutes in. Assisted by senior Meghan Belrose and Yordy, Cornett’s goal gave the Norse their first lead of the game.
In the 62nd minute, Yordy netted her goal, slipping the ball past the goalie’s outstretched hands to extend NKU’s lead to 3-1. The score was significant not just for the game, but it also marked Yordy’s 50th NKU career point, cementing her place in the record books.
Youngstown State responded in the 75th minute with a goal from Sara Felder, but it wasn’t enough to close the gap, and NKU held on for the win.
Yordy was a standout performer, notching her career-best seventh goal and recording her eighth assist of the season, the most in the Horizon League.
NKU will hit the road next Wednesday to take on Wright State, closing out the season as they look ahead and prepare for the Horizon League tournament.