Chris Thompson

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. - The Northern Kentucky University men’s soccer team will kick off a crucial weekend of soccer at 7:30 p.m. Friday when Southern Illinois at Edwardsville visits the Town & Country Sports Complex in Wilder, Ky.

SIUE is the defending NCAA Division II national runner-up, and the Cougars enter Friday with an 11-1-1 record. SIUE is also ranked No. 2 nationally in the Division II poll and leads the Great Lakes Valley Conference with a 7-0-1 record.

A year ago at Edwardsville, Ill., SIUE pulled out a 2-1 win in overtime against the Norse. NKU held a 1-0 lead in that game with 13 minutes remaining in regulation, but SIUE tied the contest and eventually won in the first overtime.

NKU is 9-4-1 overall, 6-2-1 in the GLVC. NKU is looking to secure a first-round home game in the upcoming GLVC Tournament. The Norse are currently tied for third place with Wisconsin-Parkside, and the top four teams will host first-round games on Oct. 30.

NKU will also meet Quincy at 2:30 p.m. Sunday in another key GLVC contest.

David Lies scored his fourth game-winning goal of the season last Sunday as NKU defeated Missouri-Rolla, 1-0, at Rolla, Mo. Freshman goalie Anthony Sucietto recorded the shutout and had four saves.

Sucietto now has three shutouts, and he has allowed just one goal in 428 minutes of action.

Lies, a senior defender who has five goals this season, snapped the scoreless tie in the 61st minute by sending a header past Missouri-Rolla goalie Mike McNamee. The goal was set up by Kyle Roberts, who sent a free kick into the box.

Sophomore midfielder Tony Capurro continues to lead NKU in scoring with four goals and four assists. Roberts has three goals and three assists, while sophomore forward Chris Thompson has two goals and three assists.