WILDER, Ky. - John Basalyga’s debut as head coach of the Northern Kentucky University men’s soccer team was a complete success Saturday afternoon, and the key to his Norse’s 4-2 win over the University of Findlay was the scoring of freshman Chris Thompson.
Thompson, a graduate of Elder High School in Cincinnati, netted two goals - including a score at the 70:05 mark that snapped a 2-2 tie - as NKU opened the season with a victory over Findlay in the John Toebben Labor Day Weekend Classic at the Town & Country Sports Complex. The Norse - who posted a 6-10-2 record a year ago - are 1-0, while Findlay dropped to 0-1.
NKU sealed the victory at the 83:04 mark when Nick Rascona found the net off a breakaway that was set up by a perfect lead pass from Bobby Pifer. That goal gave the Norse a 4-2 lead, and it made Basalyga’s first game on the NKU sideline a victorious occasion.
Basalyga, who won three state championships in Ohio at Turpin High School, watched his Norse build an early 2-0 lead as Randy Walters and Thompson each scored goals. Findlay, however, scored twice before halftime to forge a 2-2 tie at the break.
It remained tied until the 70th minute, when Thompson beat Findlay goalie Chris Stewart for a goal with a shot from 18 yards. NKU goalie Nate Madden finished with six saves for the Norse.
NKU will meet Saginaw Valley State University at 4 p.m. Sunday.
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John Basalyga |