NKU women’s soccer begins season on road at Lipscomb; Thomas More plays host to Union (Ky.)

NKyTribune staff

The Northern Kentucky University women’s soccer team begins the regular season on Thursday night with a road contest at Lipscomb in Nashville, Tenn. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.

NKU leads the all-time series with Lipscomb, 3-0-1. The Norse defeated the Bisons, 2-0, a year ago in Highland Heights.

NKU finished the 2018 campaign with a 10-6-1 overall record, including a 6-2-1 mark in the Horizon League. NKU sported a 7-1 record when leading at the half and averaged 1.35 goals per match.

Lipscomb posted a 15-5-2 record a year ago, including 7-1-0 slate in the Atlantic Sun Conference. The Bisons also collected a first-round NCAA Tournament win over Mississippi State. Olivia Doak, the Bisons’ leading scorer from a year ago, returns for her senior season and hopes to improve on her nine-goal and nine-assist year.

Shawna Zaken led NKU in 2018 with six goals and five assists, followed by the now-graduated Samantha Duwel’s five goals and five assists. Emily Lohmann, who has since graduated, started every match at goalkeeper for the Norse, making 60 saves for an 0.811 save percentage and a 0.91 goals against average.

The Norse return 16 players from last year’s team, including Zaken, and welcome nine newcomers to the squad. Taylor Abbott, Annie Greene, Kiley Keehan, Jamie Lehker, Lindsey Meyer, Mimi Stines, Megan Sullivan, Shelby Wall and Kayla Wypasek are in their first seasons at NKU.

NKU ended its preseason schedule with a 1-1 tie against Morehead State on Aug. 17. The lone Norse goal came from Kailey Ivins on a Megan Patick assist in the 60th minute. NKU outshot the Eagles 15-3 in the contest and also won the shots on goal margin, 7-2.

NKU is picked to finish second in the Horizon League’s preseason poll. Four-time defending Horizon League champion Milwaukee is the preseason favorite to capture its fifth consecutive title.

Bob Sheehan is in his 23rd season at the helm of the NKU women’s soccer team. He sports a 316-106-29 (.733) all-time record. His teams are 24-7-5 in Horizon League regular-season play.

THOMAS MORE WOMEN PLAY HOST TO UNION: The Thomas More University women’s soccer team opens the season at home Wednesday at 7 p.m. by playing host to Union (Ky.) at BB&T Field.

The Saints, making their debut as members of the NAIA this season, posted a 6-12-2 record in 2018 competing at the NCAA Division III level. Thomas More also captured the American Collegiate Athletic Association Tournament championship.

Union finished the 2018 season with an overall mark of 4-11-1. The Bulldogs were 3-8-1 in Appalachian Athletic Conference play.

(Information compiled from NKU Athletics Communications, Thomas More and staff reports)