---Tony Ray came back Sunday with his first start in two weeks, posting an assist on Chris Thompson's game-winner in the Great Lakes Region championship.

By Mike Anderson, NKU Sports Information

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. - At the beginning of the year, Northern Kentucky University men's soccer coach John Basalyga asked his players to get one game farther than they did in 2006.

Sunday afternoon the Norse get that opportunity. And as an added bonus, it's against the same squad that ended their historic run 361 short days ago, as NKU (22-1) hosts Lincoln Memorial (18-3-1) in the NCAA National Quarterfinal round. Kick-off is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Town & Country Sports Complex in Wilder.

Once again, it is a meeting between the Great Lakes Region and Appalachian Region champions. The Norse bulldozed Gannon, 5-2, before winning an epic 1-0 battle against Southern Illinois at Edwardsville to take their second consecutive regional title.

Great Lakes Regional Player of the Year Braden Bishop and All-Great Lakes Valley Conference selection Steven Beattie scored each two goals in Friday night's semifinal match, while Chris Thompson provided the magic Sunday with a little help from Bishop and junior Tony Ray.

Goalkeeper Michael Lavric found his game Sunday after being replaced with 15 minutes remaining in Friday's semifinal, picking up his ninth shutout as the Norse were out shot for just the second time in 2007.

Last season, the Railsplitters got the upper hand on the Norse with a goal from Leonardo de Barros in the 88th minute as LMU advanced with a 2-1 triumph in the national quarterfinal. de Barros returns for the Railsplitters with eight goals on the season for the nation's third-most potent offense, scoring 3.35 goals per game. LMU's leading scorer, sophomore Leandro Pereira, has 23 goals and stands third in the nation offensively.

The Railsplitters will, no doubt, prove a major test for the most dominating defense in Norse history. Entering Sunday's game, the most prolific offense the Norse had faced was Lewis, which scored over a goal per game less than Lincoln Memorial.

---Steven Beattie netted two goals in the regional semifinal against Gannon, and stands second on the team with 11.

The Norse lead the all-time series against the Railsplitters, 5-2. However, LMU has won each of the last two meetings between the teams, including a 3-2 double-overtime decision to open the 2005 campaign.

Win or lose, Sunday will be NKU's final home game of 2007, as the winner will advance to the national semifinal in Orange Beach, Ala., to face the winner between South Region champion, Montevallo, and Southeast Region Champion, Lees-McRae, on Nov. 30.

FANTASTIC FRESHMAN: Steve Beattie has provided a bit of déjà vu for the Norse, as his 27 points (11 goals, five assists) has equaled Braden Bishop's 2006 effort (12 goals, three assists).

PEAKING LATE: Chris Thompson has just three goals on the season, but he has made them count. Two of his markers have come in the postseason, both of them game-winners.

HISTORY REWRITTEN AGAIN: NKU's 22 wins on the season equals the most wins ever by any Norse soccer team. The NKU women's program reached 22 wins in 1999 and 2001, reaching the national semifinals in each season.