MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Shoko Mikami converted a penalty kick with 13 minutes remaining in regulation Friday night to tie the score, and No. 1 Christian Brothers University escaped with a 1-1 draw against Northern Kentucky University.
NKU (2-0-1) took a 1-0 lead 22 minutes into the match when Kendra Zinser beat Christian Brothers goalie Jennifer Kett for an unassisted breakaway goal. The Norse, ranked No. 3 nationally in the NCAA Division II poll, held the 1-0 lead with 13 minutes remaining and appeared in control after Emi Himeshima cleared the ball out of the Christian Brothers box.
NKU’s Aisling Callaghan, though, was called for a foul in the box after Himeshima had cleared the ball, and Mikami was awarded the penalty kick that tied the contest at 1-1.
NKU goalie Sam Westerling recorded 18 saves against the defending NCAA Division II national champions. Going into Friday’s showdown, NKU had not surrendered a goal this season and had allowed just three total shots in two games.
NKU extended its regular-season unbeaten streak to 21 with the tie. NKU has not lost a regular-season game since Oct. 28, 2001, when Mercyhurst (Pa.) College posted a 1-0 victory against the Norse.
A year ago, NKU posted a 1-0 victory over Christian Brothers at Wilder, Ky. It was the only loss for the Buccaneers during the 2002 season.
NKU will meet Tusculum (Tenn.) College at noon Sunday.
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Kendra Zinser |