Second-seeded Northern Kentucky University Men’s Soccer team fought the University of Wisconsin-Parkside to a 0-0 tie after a change of venue, regulation and overtime in the Great Lakes Valley Conference tournament semi-finals Oct. 27. The semi-final, which was to be played at Korte Field in Edwardsville, Ill., had to be moved to St. Louis and an artificial turf playing surface after the scheduled venue was deemed unplayable due to heavy rains Friday.

While the game was officially scored a tie, UWP advanced to the tourney’s final on penalty kicks 6-5.

Despite being bounced from the conference tournament over the weekend, the Norse had reason to celebrate Monday after earning a first-ever berth in the NCAA Division II Tournament.

NKU received the No. 2 seed in the Great Lakes Regional and may experience some deja vu when it opens play Nov. 2 at 5 p.m. The Norse will travel to Edwardsville, Ill., the original site of the semi-final contest, and face No. 3 seed UWP in a rematch of last Friday’s bitterly fought tie.

The winner will play Nov. 4 at 8 p.m. in the Great Lakes Regional championship against the winner of the other regional contest between Mercyhurst and top-seeded Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, who defeated UWP for the GLVC tournament crown.

To get past UWP this week, NKU will need a strong performance from junior goalkeeper Andy Ortman, who recorded his 11th shutout over the weekend. The Norse will also look for freshman Braden Bishop to continue his great play and provide the necessary offense to secure a win.

Bishop, who leads the team with nine goals, was named GLVC Freshman of the Year and earned All-GLVC first team honors. Norse Head Coach John Basalyga earned GLVC Coach of the Year honors, and has guided his team to a 14-2-3 record, just two wins shy of the school record of 16.