HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. - The Northern Kentucky University women’s soccer team will play host to the University of Nebraska at Omaha at 1 p.m. this Saturday (Nov. 23) in the NCAA Division II national quarterfinals at the Town & Country Sports Complex in Wilder, Ky.
NKU, 20-0-2 and ranked No. 1 nationally in the NCAA Division II poll, will meet unbeaten and third-ranked UNO (20-0) for a trip to the NCAA Division II Final Four. The Norse - who own a 101-10-7 record (88.6 percent) during the past five years - are seeking their fourth consecutive trip to the NCAA Division II Final Four.
The NKU/UNO winner will advance to the NCAA Division II Final Four, which will be held Dec. 6-8 at Virginia Beach, Va.
NKU/UNO SERIES HISTORY: On Sept. 1, 2000, Bessie Black scored two goals as NKU defeated UNO, 4-0, in the first round of the NKU Soccer Classic at the Town & Country Sports Complex.
Jeanna Martin opened the scoring for NKU two minutes into the match with a goal off an assist from Tricia Ruark. Ruark finished the match with three assists.
The Norse built a 3-0 halftime lead as Betsy Moore and Black also scored goals. Black finished off the scoring with a goal late in the match. It is the only prior meeting between the two schools in women’s soccer.
HOW THEY REACHED THE QUARTERFINALS: Kristen Noakes converted a penalty kick six minutes into the first overtime Saturday as NKU defeated Ashland University, 2-1, to capture the NCAA Division II Great Lakes Region championship at the Town & Country Sports Complex.
With the score tied at 1-1, NKU’s Bessie Black was taken down and held in the penalty box by Ashland goalie Patti Cooke. Cooke was assessed a yellow card on the foul, and NKU was awarded a penalty kick at the 96:33 mark.
Noakes then drilled the penalty kick past Cooke into the left corner of the goal for the victory. It was the 11th goal of the season for Noakes.
UNO posted a 3-0 victory over Truman State University last Saturday to win the NCAA Division II Central Region championship.
SETON GRADUATES ANCHOR DEFENSE: NKU’s defense enters the NCAA Division II national quarterfinals with 13 shutouts this season. Two of the Norse’s top defenders - junior back Becky Schnieders and sophomore sweeper Robyn Withers - are graduates of Cincinnati Seton High School.
Schnieders and Withers both earned first team All-Great Lakes Valley Conference honors this season.
NCAA Division II Tournament
Regional Championships
Northeast Region
Adelphi 0, Lock Haven 0 (Adelphi advances on penalty kicks, 3-1)
New England Region
Franklin Pierce 2, Merrimack 1 (ot)
Great Lakes Region
Northern Kentucky 2, Ashland 1 (ot)
Central Region
Nebraska-Omaha 3, Truman State 0
Southeast Region
North Florida 1, Kennesaw State 1 (North Florida advances on penalty kicks, 5-4)
South Region
Christian Brothers 2, Barry (Fla.) 1
Midwest Region
Metro State 2, Central Oklahoma 0
West Region
UC Davis 1, UC San Diego 1 (UC Davis advances on penalty kicks, 4-2)
NCAA Division II national quarterfinals (Nov. 23-24 at campus sites)
Adelphi (17-1-2) vs. Franklin Pierce (17-0-2)
Nebraska-Omaha (20-0) vs. Northern Kentucky (20-0-2)
North Florida (15-2-3) vs. Christian Brothers (22-1)
Metro State (19-2-2) vs. UC Davis (12-6-3)
NCAA Division II Final Four
Dec. 6 (at Virginia Beach, Va.)
Adelphi/Franklin Pierce winner vs. Nebraska-Omaha/Northern Kentucky winner
North Florida/Christian Brothers winner vs. Metro State/UC Davis winner
Dec. 8 (at Virginia Beach, Va.)
NCAA Division II national championship
Becky Schnieders