The Northern Kentucky women’s soccer team returned home to Scudamore Field on Sunday to face the University of Cincinnati. 

The matchup was only the fifth time these two teams have met, with the last time being during the 2022-2023 season. The Norse were trying to defend a 14-game win streak at home.

The game started on a defensive note, as neither team could capitalize on any early shots 

But, in the 22nd minute, Cincinnati’s Bryana Gaynor was able to capitalize on a failed clearance and put the ball into the back of the net while the Norse goalie Donna Bundy was far up.

The Norse ended the first half with three shots and only one corner kick, while the opposing Bearcats ended with six shots and three corner kicks.

The game restarted with both teams firing. The defenses continued to clamp down on any chances that the other team tried to take advantage of.  

It wasn’t until the 67th minute when an unlikely goal scorer evened things up, as defender Macey Blanton netted the equalizer for the Norse, capitalizing on a rebound and putting the ball in the bottom-left corner.  

This score line did not last long as the Bearcats kept taking shots on goal and in the 73rd minute, off a rebound from the post, Cincinnati forward Tiana Campbell scored for the Bearcats.

The final whistle ended which ended the home winning streak for the Norse.

They finished their day with eight shots, with three of those being on goal. They had five corner kicks from both halves. They finished the day with two saves from senior Donna Bundy and sophomore Autumn Bishop.

The Norse look to get their next win at home against the visiting team of Eastern Kentucky University on Sept. 10 at 7 p.m. It is also Student-Athlete Tailgate night.