Kristen Votapek

WILDER, Ky. - Danielle Dos Santos scored a pair of second-half goals Saturday night to lead the Lincoln Memorial women’s soccer team to a 2-1 victory over Northern Kentucky University at the Town & Country Sports Complex.

Dos Santos snapped a 1-1 tie at the 65:36 mark, and No. 8 Lincoln Memorial held off No. 20 NKU in a battle of teams ranked in the NCAA Division II national preseason poll. It was the season opener for both teams and just the second time NKU and Lincoln Memorial have played in women’s soccer.

The only other meeting between NKU and Lincoln Memorial was during the 2000 season, when the Norse pulled out a 2-0 victory over the Railsplitters at the Town & Country Sports Complex.

The Norse jumped out to a 1-0 lead just six minutes into Saturday’s game when Kristen Votapek took a cross from Jeanna Goettelman and beat Lincoln Memorial goalie Stephanie Kwoka for a goal.

NKU still owned a 1-0 lead early in the second half, but Dos Santos tied the contest at 1-1 with a goal at the 52:03 mark. She later gave the Railsplitters a 2-1 advantage by drilling a shot past NKU goalie Sam Westerling into the net.

NKU had plenty of opportunities, including three shots that bounced off the crossbar. The Norse held a 15-8 advantage in shot attempts, and Lincoln Memorial managed just three shots the entire second half.

In addition, NKU finished with an 8-4 edge in corner kicks, including a 7-0 advantage in the second half. The Norse dominated field position most of the second half but were unable to find the back of the net.

NKU will play host to Concord (W. Va.) next Friday at 7 p.m. at the Town & Country Sports Complex.

BOX SCORE