Box Score

The University of Wisconsin-Parkside men's soccer team dropped a tough 1-0 decision to 10th-ranked Northern Kentucky University on Friday afternoon. The Norse, the defending NCAA Division II National Champions, scored on a deep shot in the game's 19th minute and held on for the victory to improve to 8-1-0 and 6-1-0 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference. The loss sends the Rangers to 3-3-3 in the league and 5-3-1 overall.

"Against the defending national champions, on their home field, you've got to play error-free," said Head Coach Jason Zitzke. "We didn't quite do that tonight."

NKU put pressure on the Rangers early taking the game's first four shots before cashing in following a corner kick. Kevin Donnelly got room off of a rebound from about 25 yards away and fired a bullet past the Parkside defense and goalie Nick Huftalin for a 1-0 Norse lead.

"It was great strike," said Zitzke of Donnelly's goal. "We didn't clear it all the way off the corner kick and we failed to come out and pressure the shot. He just buried it. (Huftalin) never had a chance."

Jose Alfaro came back immediately putting a shot on goal but it would turn out to be the only attempt for Parkside in the first half. NKU controlled possession for the majority of the first half to take a one goal lead into the locker room.

The Rangers made some key adjustments in the second half to swing momentum but were just unable to get a ball in the net. Ryan Crane had a couple of good opportunities about midway through the half with one going just right and the other being saved by Ben Dorn.

"We did a good job of keeping possession and controlling the ball," said Zitzke. "But as far as the final third, putting the ball in the back of the net, we struggled to create chances and the one's that we had we didn't put away."

Mike Asen nearly tied the match with just over eight minutes left but Dorn made the save to preserve the shutout. The Rangers earned five corner kicks in the second half and seven for the match but couldn't cash in.

Nick Huftalin had four saves in falling to 2-2-0 on the season.

Parkside continued to struggle offensively away from home where they are now 0-3-1 this season, scoring just one goal. The defense has been solid on the road allowing just 1.0 goals per game.

The Rangers will finish off the road trip Sunday when they travel to Louisville to take on Bellarmine. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:30 against the Knights who dropped to 3-4-0 in the GLVC with a loss to Lewis on Friday.