HILLSDALE, Mich. - Stephanie Sandfoss scored a goal with 55 seconds remaining in the second overtime Friday afternoon as the Northern Kentucky University women’s soccer team gave head coach Bob Sheehan his 100th career victory with a 1-0 win over Hillsdale (Mich.) College.
Sandfoss scored the goal following a corner kick by Aisling Callaghan. Sandfoss, who leads NKU with eight goals, directed the ball past Hillsdale goalie Ashley Ball into the net to give the Norse the victory.
NKU improved to 12-0-1 with the non-conference victory and gave Sheehan - who started the NKU women’s soccer program in 1997 - win No. 100. Sheehan is now 100-21-6 with the Norse.
“(The 100 wins) really are not about the coach, but it is a credit to the players we have had during the past six years,” Sheehan said. “We have a brief history of soccer, but we have had a lot of success and this reflects on our players and where they have brought the program.”
Junior goalie Megan Zalla played the entire match and picked up the shutout for NKU, which is ranked No. 1 nationally in the NCAA Division II poll. The Norse held a 22-2 advantage in shot attempts Friday, and they also finished with a 12-0 lead in corner kicks.
Sheehan said NKU defenders Becky Schnieders and Robyn Withers played key roles in the win.
“Robyn and Becky were exceptional on defense, and they did a great job of staying with Hillsdale’s best attacker the entire day,” Sheehan said.
The Norse will return home Sunday to face Great Lakes Valley Conference rival Saint Joseph’s College at 2:30 p.m. at the Town & Country Sports Complex in Wilder, Ky. NKU is 5-0-1 in the GLVC and is in sole possession of first place.
NKU is 34-0-3 in its last 37 matches against GLVC teams. The Norse have not lost to a GLVC opponent since Oct. 9, 1999, when Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville posted a 3-1 win over NKU.
Bob Sheehan