HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – The Northern Kentucky University men' soccer team won their final nonconference game of the year, 1-0, against Eastern Illinois. Cian McDonald's second half goal proved to be the only difference between the two sides.
 
The Norse started out slow in the first half and neither side looked to be pressing much towards goal. The Panthers nearly bagged an early goal when Patrick Palmer took a corner kick in the 3rd minute. Tayron Martin got his head on the ball, but flicked it just over the crossbar. The Panthers had another chance from a corner in the 18th minute with Jake Brillhart but Toby Frohlich was there to make the save for the Norse.
 
Nick McGregor was the only Norse player to have a chance at goal in the first half. His best effort came in the 20th minute when he settled a ball, that was not cleared away properly by the Panther defenders, and blasted in a shot from 24-yards out. He hit the ball with good pace but the Panther keeper, Mike Novotny, was in good position to make the routine save. NKU would head into halftime in a scoreless deadlock with EIU.
 
Cian McDonald was creating all kinds of trouble for the Eastern Illinois defenders during the match. He helped fuel the Norse in the second half with a near goal in the 51st minute. McDonald hit a volley from inside the penalty area but Novotny made a diving save to keep the shot from going into the back of the net.
 
McDonald would break through for the Norse in the 62nd minute. Diego Martinez played a ball over the top of the EIU defenders towards McDonald. The ball took an awkward bounce and McDonald lofted it over the keeper with his head. It was McDonald's fifth goal of the season and Martinez's third assist of the year, both lead the team in the respective categories.
 
The Norse kept pressing forward and nearly doubled their lead in the 65th minute when McDonald sent a cross into the box. Nick McGregor took a shot that was blocked and then Ronald Moss hit the ball on frame that was cleared off the line by a defender. The Panthers breathed a sign of relief and began to slow down the game in their favor.
 
Caleb Eastham nearly bagged a late goal in the 89th minute. Yaw Addai played a long ball forward to the lone forward, Eastham, who settled the ball for a shot. Eastham's shot hit the crossbar and the Panthers began to counter. Chris Boswell nearly added a late equalizer with less than ten second remaining the match but Frohlich stepped up to make his third save of the game.
 
With the win, NKU improves to 4-8-4 overall. The Norse have two matches remaining in the regular season, both Atlantic Sun fixtures. NKU will host A-Sun leaders Stetson on Nov. 1 for Senior Night and then travel to Jacksonville to take on North Florida.
 
For more in-depth updates on the NKU men's soccer team as the regular season draws to a close, follow @NKUNorseMSOC on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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