---Freshman forward Amanda Mason converted a penalty kick in the 84th minute to give the Norse a 2-1 edge.

By Mike Anderson, NKU Sports Information

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WILDER, Ky. – The Northern Kentucky University women’s soccer team closed out the preseason on a good note, defeating Ohio University by a 2-1 score in exhibition play on Sunday morning.

After a half-hour “feeling-out” period, the Bobcats were able to sneak one by Norse goalkeeper Angela Healy in the 35th minute. Rachael Philpot tossed a strong throw-in to the box on the far post, where Halle Plagens charged and just beat Healy to the ball from 2 yards out, using her body to direct the ball into the net and open the scoring.

The Norse got the goal back just three minutes later as Kendall Day found some open space in the offensive third. Day sent a pass across to Ashley Warndorf, who forced Christa Puccio to come out and challenge. A simple lob over the Bobcat keeper just snuck under the crossbar to knot things back at one.

Ohio began to dominate from that point, generating shot opportunities but failing to put anything significant on net.

The Norse got another break late in the second half, after getting a couple of key takeaways from the Bobcats near the penalty area. Megan Smith took a pass in the 84th minute and was taken down inside the box, allowing Amanda Mason to convert a penalty kick for the eventual game winner.

Healy got the win for the Norse in net, making two saves on 13 shot attempts. Jess MacLean played the second half, making one save in the loss for the Bobcats. Puccio had a save in the start for Ohio.

The win means nothing to the record, but gives the Norse some momentum entering the 2008 regular season, which starts on Friday with tournament action at Concord.