WILDER, Ky. - Amy Martini scored a goal and added two assists Friday as the Northern Kentucky University women’s soccer team defeated the University of Missouri-St. Louis, 3-1, in the semifinals of the Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament at the Town & Country Sports Complex.
Kendra Zinser and Sam Riley also scored goals as top-seeded NKU improved to 16-2-2 overall. The Norse, ranked No. 18 nationally in the NCAA Division II poll, also extended their unbeaten streak against GLVC opponents to 56 with the victory against fourth-seeded Missouri-St. Louis (13-6-1).
NKU is now 51-0-5 against GLVC teams during the past four years. The Norse have not lost to a GLVC opponent since Oct. 9, 1999, when SIUE posted a 3-1 win over NKU.
Zinser gave NKU a 1-0 lead just five minutes into the match by blasting in an 18-yard shot that was assisted by Martini. The Norse upped the advantage to 2-0 at the 24:34 mark when Martini took a pass from Amy Law and beat Missouri-St. Louis goalie Courtney Carmody with a 15-yard shot.
Katie Huelsing cut the lead to 2-1 with a goal just before halftime, but the Riverwomen were limited to four shots the entire match. Sam Riley sealed the victory for NKU with four minutes remaining when she scored on a breakaway that was assisted by Martini.
The Norse are seeking their sixth straight GLVC Tournament championship. NKU has never lost (15-0 all-time) in the GLVC Tournament.
NKU will meet No. 2 seed University of Wisconsin-Parkside in the championship match at 1 p.m. Sunday. Wisconsin-Parkside (13-2-4) played the University of Indianapolis to a 0-0 tie in two overtimes Friday, but the Rangers advanced to the championship match by winning a penalty-kick shootout, 4-2.
NKU is currently ranked No. 3 in the NCAA Division II Great Lakes Region poll. The top four teams in the regional poll will advance to the NCAA Division II Tournament in November.
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Amy Martini |