HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. - The Northern Kentucky University women’s soccer team will begin its 2003 season on Aug. 29 with a 4:30 p.m. contest against Saginaw Valley State University at the Town & Country Sports Complex.
NKU, which finished with a 20-1-2 record last season, returns seven starters from a team that was ranked No. 1 nationally in the NCAA Division II poll for 10 consecutive weeks. NKU must replace its top three scorers from last year, but the Norse welcome back senior forwards Aisling Callaghan (seven goals, six assists) and Kendra Zinser (four goals, eight assists) to the lineup in 2003.
NKU also features All-Great Lakes Valley Conference performers Becky Schnieders and Robyn Withers, a pair of defenders who helped NKU record 13 shutouts a year ago. Senior goalie Megan Zalla, who earned second team All-GLVC honors last year with a 0.49 goals against average, also returns to the lineup.
NKU - which has captured five consecutive GLVC titles - will meet defending NCAA Division II national champion Christian Brothers (Tenn.) University on Sept. 5 at Memphis, Tenn. A year ago, NKU posted a 1-0 victory over Christian Brothers at Wilder, Ky.
The Norse will open GLVC play on Sept. 21 with a home match against the University of Indianapolis. NKU is 40-0-4 in its last 44 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.
NKU has made four consecutive trips to the NCAA Division II Tournament. The Norse have advanced to the NCAA Division II Final Four in 1999, 2000 (national runner-up) and 2001.
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Kendra Zinser |