WILDER, Ky. - Defense ruled the field Saturday afternoon when Northern Kentucky University met Saginaw Valley State University in the season opener, and the result was a scoreless tie at the Town & Country Sports Complex.
NKU won the battle of shots by a 14-8 margin, but the Norse were unable to find the net against Saginaw Valley State backup goalie Eric Carnes. Carnes, who entered the game 10 minutes into the first half after starter Grant Pierce injured his shoulder, collected four saves.
Nate Madden guarded the NKU net for the entire 110 minutes, picked up four saves and held Saginaw Valley State scoreless. The Norse backfield, led by junior David Lies and freshman Andy Bacon on Saturday, controlled much of the contest and allowed just two corner kicks the entire afternoon.
NKU, meanwhile, penetrated deep into Saginaw Valley State’s defense several times and finished with seven corner kicks. The Cardinal defense, however, stiffened each time and escaped with the tie.
Lies nearly snapped the scoreless tie in the second half when he headed a ball toward the Saginaw Valley State goal, but the shot hit the crossbar and bounced out of play.
A year ago, Saginaw Valley State posted a 2-0 win over NKU at the Town & Country Sports Complex. In 2002, the Cardinals claimed a 2-1 victory against the Norse.
NKU will meet the University of Findlay at 4 p.m. Sunday. Findlay - which salvaged a 1-1 tie against Bellarmine University on Saturday - advanced to the NCAA Division II Final Four last season.
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David Lies |