Box Score

A pair of nationally ranked women's soccer teams got together to re-new an old rivalry on the pitch Friday afternoon. UW-Parkside came into the contest ranked No. 22 in the nation, while visiting Northern Kentucky checked in at No. 5. 

 As you may expect, regulation did not decide the game. However, the Rangers pulled out the win, 2-1, in overtime, seizing the top spot in the Great Lakes Valley Conference with a league record of 6-0-0. The team is 6-1-0 overall. The Norse lost its first game of the season and are 6-1-1 overall and 4-1-0 in league action.

 “It's a big win any time you can get a win over the No. 5 team in the nation,” said UW-Parkside head coach Troy Fabiano. “Northern Kentucky is always a big game for us because of the success they have had in their program for so long.”

 Shannon Becker terminated the game 8 minutes and 15 seconds into overtime. The goal was her league-leading ninth of the year and was unassisted.

 The Rangers got on the scoreboard first, early. Kristen Benson was set up by Brynn Darga at 5:44, allowing the home team to play from the lead. It was Benson's third goal of the season.

 It didn't take long for the Norse to answer. Just 1 minute and 6 seconds later, Claudia Bryant tallied an unassisted goal to knot the score at 1-1.

 “To be honest, it wasn't the prettiest game,” said Fabiano. “The wind (which gusted at 45 mph) played a lot into that. Our girls fought hard and fought through it.”

 The Rangers had seven shots on goal, compared to four for NKU.

 Next up for the Rangers is a date with Bellarmine at Wood Road Field Sunday, Sept. 26, at 2:30 p.m. The Knights lost at Lewis Friday, 1-0, and will bring a 4-3-0 overall record and a 3-2-0 league mark with them.

 “We had a good win today, but we need to move forward and focus on Bellarmine,” said Fabiano.