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by Mike Anderson, NKU Sports Information HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. - Once in a lifetime is an overused phrase today. Northern Kentucky University’s run to the men’s soccer national quarterfinals could be described as “once in a lifetime,” but ask the players and you’ll hear “the first of many.” The Norse will get their chance to repeat as the NCAA Division II Great Lakes Region champions this fall. On Aug. 24, they take the field at Town & Country Sports Complex in Wilder for their 27th season of competition, but their first as reigning champions. NKU’s postseason opponents en route to the regional crown, Wisconsin-Parkside and Southern Illinois at Edwardsville, each make their way to Wilder this season, but the year will open with the fifth annual John Toebben Classic presented by National City. NKU will welcome Great Lakes Valley Conference foe Bellarmine along with West Virginia Wesleyan and Truman State for the weekend. The Norse will take on West Virginia Wesleyan at 8:30 p.m. on Aug. 24 and Truman State at 1:30 p.m. on Aug. 26. NKU will host the John Toebben Classic soccer clinic on Saturday, Aug. 25 beginning at 10 a.m. NKU later faces conference competition against Lewis on Sept. 7 and Wisconsin-Parkside on Sept. 9. The Norse will entertain Ashland Sept. 14 in non-conference play before welcoming back Bellarmine for a GLVC match Sept. 16. The Norse also play host to defending GLVC champion SIUE on Sept. 28. SIUE is reclassifying to NCAA Division I and is competing in the GLVC for the final time this season. NKU plays host Southern Indiana on Oct. 12 and in-state rival Kentucky Wesleyan on Oct. 14. Postseason play begins Oct. 28 in the GLVC Tournament. The Norse return a large portion of the 2006 team’s core, including postseason standout goalkeeper Andy Ortman, who posted a school record 15-2-3 record with 12 shutouts. His miniscule 0.54 goals against average, good for fifth in the nation, is just one-hundredth off Nate Madden’s school record set in 2004. The performance earned him an All-Great Lakes Region nod from Daktronics. All-American Tony Capurro also returns for his senior campaign. The talented midfielder posted five goals, three in the postseason, and four assists in 2006. His two game-winning goals came against Wisconsin-Parkside, one in regular-season play and the other in the NCAA Tournament. NKU also welcomes back senior forward Chris Thompson, who added eight goals and five assists last season. One of the nation’s toughest defenses returns after allowing just 13 goals in 79 shots on goal. All-GLVC honorees Andy Bacon and Dan Impellizzeri join Seth Eckerlin and Eric Ashworth to continue a tradition of excellence in the backfield. GLVC and Great Lakes Region Coach of the Year John Basalyga adds to the tradition as well, bringing in Michael Lavric, the Ohio Player of the Year, to strengthen the goalkeeping corps. Michael’s brother, Matthew Lavric, as well as Irish striker Steven Beattie will add some offensive pop to the Norse as well. |
