By Mike Anderson, NKU Sports Information

INDIANAPOLIS – For the third consecutive season, the Northern Kentucky University men’s soccer team has qualified for the NCAA Division II Tournament, as the Norse were selected as the No. 2 seed in the Midwest Region on Monday.

NKU (15-2-2) will take on the No. 3 seed Ashland in Kansas City, Mo. Both teams are making their third appearance to the NCAA Tournament in school history. On the other side of the bracket, No. 4 seed Lewis will take on the host and No. 1 seed Rockhurst.

Earlier this season, the Norse and Eagles (15-3-2) battled to a 1-1 draw, as Adam Spannbauer gave Ashland the early lead before Braden Bishop brought the match level in the second half. The Norse have won just one of their last three matches against the Eagles dating back to 2005 and have only claimed one win over the Eagles away from home, that coming in 1996 in a 3-1 decision.

The Norse are led by GLVC Offensive Player of the Year Steven Beattie, who has 20 goals on the season, breaking a 16-year-old club record. Defensively, first-team All-GLVC honorees Eric Ashworth and Tony Ray turn away opposing attackers, while Michael Lavric has proven to be one of the top goalkeepers in the nation.

Last season, NKU won its second straight Great Lakes Region championship, defeating Southern Illinois at Edwardsville, 1-0, to claim the title. The Norse were halted in their quest for a national title by a 2-1 defeat at the hands of eventual national runner-up Lincoln Memorial.