The Stetson women's soccer team (3-8-0, 1-2-0) was defeated by Northern Kentucky (4-7-0, 1-2-0) after an early Norse goal ended as the game-winner on Friday evening in DeLand.  The Hatters will now attempt to return to .500 in league play when they host Lipscomb on Sunday at 1:00 p.m.

Just six minutes and 21 seconds into the night's competition, Northern Kentucky gained the advantage over Stetson.  Kelsey Laumann played a ball to Martha Staab, who finally sent the ball across the box from the right side to Kathryn Hale.  Hale finished on one touch to give the Norse a 1-0 lead.

While NKU was ahead on the scoreboard, the Hatters continued to fight evenly on the field.  Both teams tallied six shots and two corner kicks in the first 45 minutes.  Many of Stetson's attempts came on target though, forcing Norse goalkeeper Stephanie Glass to make four saves in the opening frame.

"Their goalkeeper made a fantastic save in the first half," Head Coach Julie Orlowski said following the game.  "If she didn't touch that ball over the bar it was going in, and that was a game changer."

The second half continued with more of the same, as Stetson had opportunities to tie the game, and NKU had its chances to put it away.  Juniors Alyssa Welsh, Kait Jones, and Alexis Trybinski all had quality attempts at goal in the final 45 minutes.

The score remained the same though, as Northern Kentucky picked up its first ever victory in Atlantic Sun Conference play.  The Norse outshot Stetson 13-10 for the game, and totaled six corner kicks to the Hatters' five.  Troccoli finished with three saves in the loss, while Glass and Cassie Lingenhoel combined for six in the win.

"Unfortunately we did not capitalize on the opportunities we created [tonight]," Orlowski said.  "Again we're getting impatient in the final third, and we need to do a better job of getting quality opportunities instead of half chances."

Coach Orlowski Interview