-----Tony Ray

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. - Going into Sunday's game with No. 11 Southern Illinois at Edwardsville, only a handful of people gave Northern Kentucky University a chance at springing an upset.

After all, SIUE owned a 36-game unbeaten streak against Great Lakes Valley Conference opponents. The Cougars also were 9-1 all-time against NKU in men's soccer, and the Norse had not beaten SIUE since 1998.

The NKU players and coaches obviously paid little attention to past history and statistics. The Norse played the 11th-ranked Cougars even the entire game and settled for a 1-1 tie after two overtimes at Korte Stadium on Sunday.

Braden Bishop netted the game's first goal off an assist from Tony Ray early in the second half to give NKU a 1-0 lead. It was the fourth goal of the season for Bishop, a freshman from Centerville, Ohio.

Ray, a sophomore from Louisville, Ky., now has four assists this season.

SIUE countered with 29 minutes remaining in regulation when Kevin Bielicki found the back of the net to tie the contest at 1-all.

Goalie Andy Ortman played 110 minutes and recorded four saves for the Norse, now 4-1-1 overall, 2-1-1 in the GLVC. SIUE is 2-1-3 overall, 2-0-1 in the GLVC.

A year ago, SIUE used a penalty kick to defeat NKU, 1-0, at Wilder, Ky.

NKU will return to action Friday with a 5 p.m. GLVC game against Missouri-Rolla at the Town & Country Sports Complex in Wilder, Ky. The Norse also will play host to Missouri-St. Louis at noon next Sunday.

BOX SCORE