The Northerner | Ed. 64 Issue 3 by thenortherner.com

Making soccer champs Men’s and women’s soccer teams are building for their moment in the Horizon League stories on page 7 & 8

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Edition 64, Issue 3 Wednesday, September 4, 2019

thenortherner.com @northernermedia

KNOW YOUR GREEK? KNOW YOUR GREEKS?

ΦΣΣ ΣΦΕ ΑΦΑ ΖΦΒ ΑΟΠ ΩΨΦ ΚΑΨ ΘΦΑ ΘΧ ΠΚΑ ΤΚΕ ΦΜ ΣΓΡ ΔΓ ΚΔ ΦΒΣ ΙΦΘ ΔΖ ΑΤΩ ΑΣΦ ΑΨΛ

See on page seestory more on page 4 &4 5

02 Happenings

Wednesday, September 4, 2019

NORTHERNER STAFF

WWW.THENORTHERNER.COM

WHAT TO DO

Check out the hottest campus happenings and can’t-miss events in Greater Cincinnati.

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Natalie Hamren [hamrenn1@nku.edu] MANAGING EDITOR Josh Kelly [kellyjoshua17@gmail.com] NEWS EDITOR Billy Keeney [keeneyw1@nku.edu] NEWS EDITOR Josh Goad [goadj2@mymail.nku.edu] ASST. NEWS EDITOR Noelle Horn [hornn3@nku.edu] ARTS & LIFE EDITOR Kane Mitten [mittenm1@mymail.nku.edu] ASST. ARTS & LIFE EDITOR Corinne Byrne [corinnefaith217@gmail.com] SPORTS EDITOR Sierra Newton [sflnewton@gmail.com] COPY EDITOR Noël Waltz [hailee.waltz@gmail.com] PHOTO EDITOR Colin Johnson [johnsonphotography6626@gmail.com]

Great American Ball Park (Left), Music Hall (Right).

6-8

SEPT

ASST. PHOTO EDITOR Maya Shaffer [mayakat1998@gmail.com] VIDEO EDITOR Abby Behrens [behrensm1@nku.edu] ASST. VIDEO EDITOR Megan Mixon [mixonm1@nku.edu] DESIGN EDITOR Kamryn Spence [spencek2@nku.edu] WEB EDITOR Laine Harrett [nicholasharrett25@gmail.com] ASST. WEB EDITOR Sean Gibson [seanpgib@gmail.com] SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR Kate Fulmer [fulmerk1@nku.edu] ADVISOR Michele Day [daymi@nku.edu]

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CONTACT US The Northerner Griffin Hall Rm. 125 Highland Heights, KY 41099 Editor-in-Chief: (859) 572-5732 Advertising: (859) 572-6677

PHOTOS BY BILLY KEENEY

CPO: STAR WARS: THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK | MUSIC HALL | $25 | 7:00 P.M. FRI & SAT, 2:00 P.M SUN Whether you’re a diehard Star Wars fan or a patron of the orchestra, this event from the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra is certainly a unique idea you don’t see too often. “Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back” will be playing, but without the iconic score; the CPO will be performing it live to match the scenes in the movie. Maybe they should change the abbreviation to C3PO? CINCINNATI REDS VS. ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS | GREAT AMERICAN BALL PARK | $12+ | 4:10 P.M. It can be hard to have a reason to go to a Cincinnati Reds game nowadays, as the team isn’t exactly the most exciting squad in the MLB; fortunately, the game on Sept. 7 is part of the 150th anniversary celebration. The first 20,000 fans in attendance will receive a bobblehead of Reds Hall-of-Famer Ken Griffey Jr., and the Grammy-nominated Avett Brothers will be playing a concert on the field after the game’s conclusion.

What Greek life has taught me

Josh Kelly

MANAGING EDITOR

Zachary Stone | Senior communication studies major | Executive Vice President of IFC | Alpha Tau Omega

Greek life has just taught me brotherhood. I mean, just being so intentional with all the relationships that you build, being around people that you know when they say they’re going to be there for you, they show up … being sure to have that safety net of people who are going to be there by my side through thick and thin—that’s what it’s taught me, and I’m extremely grateful for it. Sam Fleissner | Junior accounting and finance major | Vice President of Recruitment, Retention and Inclusivity of IFC | Alpha Tau Omega

One thing that I’m glad about Greek life that they brought me is the connections, whether it be while I’m in college or after I graduate. There’s always those people there that you say that you’re in Greek life, and then they tell you their stories and everything. And then they can help you out when finding a job or finding your future career for the rest of your life. Madison Ingle | Senior electronic media and broadcasting major | Director of Recruitment Counselors of PHC | Gamma Chi

I’m glad that Greek life has taught me to be open to trying new things because joining Greek life was such a last minute decision and I wasn’t open to it at first, but I’m really glad that I did and kind of took that push. And, I think, pushing COVER PHOTOS BY COLIN JOHNSON. PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY JOSH KELLY.

yourself with something Greek life definitely teaches you. Whether that’s pushing yourself to be a better leader, pushing yourself to be a better friend, better mentor—honestly—better person all around the board. And you meet so many different people who kind of help you push yourself in different ways. Eboni Porter | Senior communication studies major | Secretary of NPHC | Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. President

I am glad that Greek life has taught me how to be a leader on a campus where African Americans at underrepresented on this campus. I am not afraid to speak out and not afraid to represent who I am on campus and what I stand for. So, I am very, very, very appreciative of that. Alexandra Navarro-Guzman | Senior international business and human resource management major | External Vice President for Alpha Psi Lambda

I’m glad that Greek life has taught me how to be collaborative with other organizations. I think that we have been able to really grow here on our campus, considering that Alpha Psi Lambda is fairly one of the newest fraternities in the U.S. And, being able to just really be a part of a familia. That’s what our motto is, just having this familia—so an extended family that we can really rely on—and being different in the sense that we have both brothers and sisters, and being able to speak to other organizations. And, IFC or whether it be NPHC it has really been a good opportunity.

Ed 64, Issue 3

Viewpoints 03

How NKU fights negative assumptions around Greek life Josh Goad

NEWS EDITOR

Movies like “Old School” and “Animal House” have painted a clear picture of Greek life in America—one of larger than life parties, full of big laughs and good fun. But headlines in recent years have portrayed a different side of Greek life, like the possible hazing death of Sebastion Serafin-Bazin, fraternity brothers being three times as likely to commit sexual assault or a member of UK’s Alpha Tau Omega chapter driving under the influence and striking a child during a tailgate. With such a big finger leveled at social fraternities and sororities, what has NKU done to prevent this behavior on campus? Lexi Anderson, junior communication studies major and president of NKU’s Panhellenic Council, said that at NKU, there is a zero tolerance policy on hazing. But hazing doesn’t just involve students in social fraternities and sororities. Over half of students involved in clubs, sports, teams and other organizations experience hazing as well, according to one study. Some of the pitfalls found at other universities might be avoided because of how new NKU is to the college scene, compared to older institutions like the University of Cincinnati or Xavier. Kim Vance, director of fraternity and sorority life, believes NKU never developed that type of culture. “I think there are a lot of things that came together. I call them protective factors. You know, we didn’t develop [hazing] as a tradition, so it’s not ingrained,” Vance said. “Our members come to this experience not expecting to be hazed and with a higher kind of expectation of what they’re going to get out of membership.” If a student is caught hazing someone, the punishment can be severe. Vance’s office might be their first stop, but they could also wind up in the conduct office or even be expelled. This can also include students who are witnesses but don’t report it. “If you really value another human, you’re not going to beat them with a paddle, right?” Vance said. “Or mentally haze them by taking them apart and making them less than.” In a survey of over 11,000 students from

various U.S. schools, over half of the students involved with social sororities and fraternities reported drinking games as the most common hazing behavior. Over a quarter of the participants also reported drinking alcohol to the point of getting sick or passing out. According to Anderson, during recruitment week, women at NKU are not allowed to go to parties. Both male and female students are also told not to drink during this time, which continues 24 hours after bid day ends—the official ceremony that accepts new members. Data gathered via The Online College Social Life Survey between 2005 and 2011, which involved nearly 16,000 students from 22 different schools, illustrates why this rule might help. Stephen Cranney used this data to author a study, where he came to the conclusion that having a large social sorority and fraternity presence on campus makes it safer. But, by being a member of these organizations, the chance of sexual assault increases. At NKU, if a student reports a sexual assault to a mandated reporter, they are required to inform the Office of Title IX. Vance said that students do not have to move forward with anything after that. Some research does support the idea that alcohol may increase the likelihood of sexual assault on campus, stating that women involved with sororities or who live in sorority housing are at even greater risk than other women on campus. Without formal housing for students in social

sororities and fraternities, a lot of risk can be removed. One study indicates that nearly half of sexual assaults occurred in fraternity housing and over half of those were during a fraternity function or were perpetrated by a member of a fraternity. “[Greek] communities aren't housed, and that's not because I think houses are awful, houses can be really wonderful. But what that does for us is it doesn't allow chapters to kind of hole up and just isolate themselves and only interact with each other,” Vance said. Though the campus doesn’t have housing for social fraternities and sororities, at one point it did allow them to have various hallways in dorms. According to Anderson, students saw little purpose in the practice and now only a couple remain.

Tips from Norse Violence Prevention Bystander intervention training is NVP’s recommended strategy, according to Kendra Massey, director of NVP. “The idea with bystander intervention is that we're not talking to students as potential victims or potential perpetrators, but we're talking to them as peers, and bystanders, of a potential victim and a potential perpet r a t o r ,” Massey said.

Most people don’t see themselves as the victim or the perpetrator, so Massey thinks training them on how to intervene is the best way to prevent potential violence. At NVP, they teach multiple intervention strategies to better fit any situation. Bystanders can directly intervene, distract or delegate. Distracting a perpetrator can de-escalate a potentially violent situation and delegating brings someone else in that may be better able to handle it. Massey also thinks targeting influential students in these organizations helps get the word out because people look up to them. She believes that if those influencers model proactive behaviors, showing what it looks like to intervene when something does happen, the more people will follow their lead. As far as prevention goes, Massey recommends practicing consent culture by asking permission for things and not assuming. Students could learn more about healthy relationships, and the signs of an unhealthy one. Not all perpetrators come from fraternities and not all survivors are in sororities, but studies show that a disproportionate number of the two come from Greek communities. This doesn’t mean that campuses should do away with fraternities altogether. Peter F. Lake, director of the Higher Education Law and Policy Center at Stetson University, thinks institutions could take a more serious stance on bad apples within these groups and partner with social fraternities and sororities on campus to root out the problem. No campus is without its problems, but Anderson believes that as long as you’re educating members and taking that process seriously, those negative assumptions may be a thing of the past.

WANT MORE NEWS COVERAGE? CHECK OUT THENORTHERNER.COM @northernermedia

04 Arts & Life

05 Arts & Life

Interfraternity Council Alpha Sigma Epsilon: Arrival Date: Fall 2016 Size: 17 Philanthropy: RAINN, Shat-

MEET THE GREEKS

terproof, Aware Awake Alive, Active Minds and Homes for our Troops Honors & Accomplishments: 2017 National Bronze Cup

Alpha Tau Omega: Charter Date: September 25, 1983 Size: 64 Philanthropy: St. Elizabeth’s Wom-

National Pan-Hellenic Council Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.: Charter Date: May 28, 1988 Size: 6 Service Projects: My Brother’s Keeper, Project Alpha

Honors & Accomplishments: Most

money raised for March of Dimes in district

Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.: Charter Date: April 14, 2009 Size: 2 Honors & Accomplishments:

en’s Wellness Center

Homecoming Step Show winners (‘19)

Merit Winner (‘15, ‘16, ‘17, ‘18), National Excellence Award (‘15, ‘16, ‘17, ‘18, ‘19) and Roadshow National Champion (‘17, ‘18)

Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.: Arrival Date: March 2011 Size: 3 Service Projects: Uplift Friday with

Honors & Accomplishments: True

Pi Kappa Alpha: Charter Date: April 15, 1972 Size: 62 Philanthropy: Alzheimer’s Associ-

the Boys and Girls Club

ation of Cincinnati

Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.: Charter Date: April 28, 2000 Size: 2 Service Projects: Sleep out for

Award (‘15, ‘16, ‘17, ‘18)

Honors & Accomplishments: High-

Honors & Accomplishments: Smythe Theta Chi: Charter Date: Nov. 9, 2013 Size: 58 Philanthropy: USO, DAV, and

Christian Dichoso Scholarship Honors & Accomplishments: Three Alter Awards, given by International Headquarters, Gold and White Awards Top Greek Chapter (‘19)

Alpha Psi Lambda Charter Date: April 26, 2013 Size: 7 Philanthropy: Boys and Girls Club of America

Honors & Accomplishments: First

Latina commencement speaker in NKU History, Excellence in Service, Inclusiveness, and Collaboration from NKU’s FSL

Homeless

est GPA of NPHC (‘18)

Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc : Charter Date: March 12, 2009 Size: 4 Philanthropy: March of Dimes, A3 for Life, Swim 1922

Honors & Accomplishments: Just

celebrated their 10 year anniversary

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.: Charter Date: Nov. 7, 1999 Size: 3 Philanthropy: March of Dimes,

Z-HOPE, Storks Nest, Elder Care Initiative, Auxiliary Groups Honors & Accomplishments: 20 years on campus

Panhellenic Council Alpha Omicron Pi: Charter Date: April 20, 2013 Size: ~70 Philanthropy: Arthritis Research and Yellow Ribbon Foundation

Honors & Accomplishments:

Outstanding Achievement in Unity, Service, Integrity, Fellowship, and Scholarship (‘19) and Air Bands Champions (‘17, ‘18)

Phi Sigma Sigma: Charter Date: Nov. 17, 1979 Size: 60 Philanthropy: Phi Sigma Sigma

Charter Date: August 15, 1974 Size: 66 Philanthropy:

Honors & Accomplishments:

Foundation toward school and college readiness

Recognzied for Unity, Inclusiveness, Service, Integrity, and Fellowship (‘19)

Theta Phi Alpha:

Fighting the Plight of Homelessness

Outstanding Achievement in Unity, Serivce, Integrity, Fellowship and Scholarhsip

Delta Gamma:

Charter Date: April 20, 2013 Size: 75 Philanthropy: Service For Sight Honors & Accomplishments: Top

GPA (‘18) and Outstanding Achievement in Service, Fellowship, Scholarship, Leadership (‘18)

Delta Zeta:

Charter Date: April 22, 1972 Size: ~70 Philanthropy: Adopt-A-Highway, Chicks & Chucks, The Reed Family

Honors & Accomplishments:

On NKU’s campus, there are 21 different Greek organizations, belonging to four different councils. Each council was founded with different values for the members. At NKU, the Interfraternity Council consists of six—soon to be seven—chapters including Sigma Phi Epsilon and Tau Kappa Epsilon who did not respond to the Northerner’s request. The Panhellenic Council consists of seven sorority chapters with Delta Zeta being the oldest Greek chapter on campus. National Pan-Hellenic Council consists of seven chapters—including Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. who did not respond to The Northerner’s request. Alpha Psi Lambda is the newest fraternity to charter on NKU’s campus. Alpha Psi Lambda is the only co-ed social Greek on our campus. All information was given by chapter presidents.

Outstanding Achievement in Unity, Service, Integrity, Felloweship and Scholarship (‘19) and Air Bands Champions (‘17, ‘18)

Kappa Delta:

Charter Date: November 3, 2003 Size: 80 Philanthropy: Girl Scouts of USA and Prevent Child Abuse America Honors & Accomplishments: Top GPA (past eight semester) and Directors Cup Champions (‘17, ‘19)

Phi Mu Charter Date: Sept. 23, 2016 Size: 50 Philanthropy: Children’s Miracle

Network Hospitals Honors & Accomplishments: Diversity and Inclusion, Leadership and Intergretiy Awards

PHOTOS BY COLIN JOHNSON

04 Arts & Life

05 Arts & Life

Interfraternity Council Alpha Sigma Epsilon: Arrival Date: Fall 2016 Size: 17 Philanthropy: RAINN, Shat-

MEET THE GREEKS

terproof, Aware Awake Alive, Active Minds and Homes for our Troops Honors & Accomplishments: 2017 National Bronze Cup

Alpha Tau Omega: Charter Date: September 25, 1983 Size: 64 Philanthropy: St. Elizabeth’s Wom-

National Pan-Hellenic Council Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.: Charter Date: May 28, 1988 Size: 6 Service Projects: My Brother’s Keeper, Project Alpha

Honors & Accomplishments: Most

money raised for March of Dimes in district

Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.: Charter Date: April 14, 2009 Size: 2 Honors & Accomplishments:

en’s Wellness Center

Homecoming Step Show winners (‘19)

Merit Winner (‘15, ‘16, ‘17, ‘18), National Excellence Award (‘15, ‘16, ‘17, ‘18, ‘19) and Roadshow National Champion (‘17, ‘18)

Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.: Arrival Date: March 2011 Size: 3 Service Projects: Uplift Friday with

Honors & Accomplishments: True

Pi Kappa Alpha: Charter Date: April 15, 1972 Size: 62 Philanthropy: Alzheimer’s Associ-

the Boys and Girls Club

ation of Cincinnati

Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.: Charter Date: April 28, 2000 Size: 2 Service Projects: Sleep out for

Award (‘15, ‘16, ‘17, ‘18)

Honors & Accomplishments: High-

Honors & Accomplishments: Smythe Theta Chi: Charter Date: Nov. 9, 2013 Size: 58 Philanthropy: USO, DAV, and

Christian Dichoso Scholarship Honors & Accomplishments: Three Alter Awards, given by International Headquarters, Gold and White Awards Top Greek Chapter (‘19)

Alpha Psi Lambda Charter Date: April 26, 2013 Size: 7 Philanthropy: Boys and Girls Club of America

Honors & Accomplishments: First

Latina commencement speaker in NKU History, Excellence in Service, Inclusiveness, and Collaboration from NKU’s FSL

Homeless

est GPA of NPHC (‘18)

Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc : Charter Date: March 12, 2009 Size: 4 Philanthropy: March of Dimes, A3 for Life, Swim 1922

Honors & Accomplishments: Just

celebrated their 10 year anniversary

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.: Charter Date: Nov. 7, 1999 Size: 3 Philanthropy: March of Dimes,

Z-HOPE, Storks Nest, Elder Care Initiative, Auxiliary Groups Honors & Accomplishments: 20 years on campus

Panhellenic Council Alpha Omicron Pi: Charter Date: April 20, 2013 Size: ~70 Philanthropy: Arthritis Research and Yellow Ribbon Foundation

Honors & Accomplishments:

Outstanding Achievement in Unity, Service, Integrity, Fellowship, and Scholarship (‘19) and Air Bands Champions (‘17, ‘18)

Phi Sigma Sigma: Charter Date: Nov. 17, 1979 Size: 60 Philanthropy: Phi Sigma Sigma

Charter Date: August 15, 1974 Size: 66 Philanthropy:

Honors & Accomplishments:

Foundation toward school and college readiness

Recognzied for Unity, Inclusiveness, Service, Integrity, and Fellowship (‘19)

Theta Phi Alpha:

Fighting the Plight of Homelessness

Outstanding Achievement in Unity, Serivce, Integrity, Fellowship and Scholarhsip

Delta Gamma:

Charter Date: April 20, 2013 Size: 75 Philanthropy: Service For Sight Honors & Accomplishments: Top

GPA (‘18) and Outstanding Achievement in Service, Fellowship, Scholarship, Leadership (‘18)

Delta Zeta:

Charter Date: April 22, 1972 Size: ~70 Philanthropy: Adopt-A-Highway, Chicks & Chucks, The Reed Family

Honors & Accomplishments:

Outstanding Achievement in Unity, Service, Integrity, Felloweship and Scholarship (‘19) and Air Bands Champions (‘17, ‘18)

Kappa Delta:

Phi Mu Charter Date: Sept. 23, 2016 Size: 50 Philanthropy: Children’s Miracle

Network Hospitals Honors & Accomplishments: Diversity and Inclusion, Leadership and Intergretiy Awards

PHOTOS BY COLIN JOHNSON

06 News

Wednesday, September 4, 2019

FIJI: What happened?

Kane Mitten

PHOTO BY BILLY KEENEY

ARTS & LIFE EDITOR

When Phi Gamma Delta—also known as Fiji—arrived on campus in fall 2016, excitement was high. But this once-promising fraternity quickly lost its way after the departure of the campus chapter’s first president and several subsequent struggles with recruiting. The organization dissolved at the end of last spring’s semester. What happened? “Recruitment was one of our downfalls,” said Zach Dichtl, senior media informatics major and the former treasurer of Fiji. “We never were taught how to recruit from the getgo.” Dichtl—who was the organization’s second in command, as Fiji does not have a vice president—said the fraternity had an issue with retention as well. “Starting a fraternity is a big task, and a lot of the guys who joined weren’t ready for that. It’s not what they thought it was going to be … and so their expectations weren’t met,” Dichtl said. Former chapter president Alex Kincaid, senior exercise science major,

joined NKU’s Fiji chapter in 2017. He also cited recruitment as the organization’s biggest problem. “We were a less established chapter, and it’s difficult to appeal to students that are coming in when, you know, why would you join a smaller one when you could join one that already has everything?” Kincaid said. “You have to find that student that truly wants to see something grow and wants to be a part of something, and you have to be able to find those people that are not afraid to get their hands dirty.” Dichtl also pointed to a lack of funds when compared to bigger fraternities or organizations. “We didn’t have the money either to spend on really cool bid day shirts or these big events. We also only had a few people to plan everything,” Dichtl said. Kincaid said recruitment and general events are much easier to pull off for bigger fraternities, and that being a smaller fraternity puts more pressure on members to attend social events.

“If you have a fraternity that has, like, 80 guys, the odds of you being able to get 15, 20 guys to show up to an event is pretty easy,” Kincaid said. “But when you only have 15, trying to get all 15 is gonna be pretty hard.” Kincaid said he wishes he had instilled in the pledge classes how important it is to be involved in other campus organizations not related to Greek life. Both men are involved throughout campus in other ways. Dichtl is a member of Alpha Sigma Pi, Alpha Lambda Delta, teaches at the on-campus tutoring center and is also a senator in Student Government Association. Kincaid spent two months of his summer living in Sandusky, Ohio with NKU’s Campus Outreach organization, where he is a student leader. Dichtl said Fiji returning to NKU is not a matter of if, but when, as the headquarters of Phi Gamma Delta set aside money from the campus chapter’s remaining funds to reinstate themselves at a later date. Fiji’s return may not be for quite some time, as the Interfraternity

Council recently announced that Phi Delta Theta would be added to NKU’s six IFC fraternities on campus in the Spring 2020 semester. Kincaid said he believes Fiji definitely has a place on campus, and that he strongly believes in the organization’s values and what it can do to help the community. “However, I’m not sure if the university is large enough to sustain [Fiji]. I think the university would need to grow a little bit more,” Kincaid said. “Either that, or all the fraternities would have to roster cap.” Kincaid gave a special shoutout to everyone who attempted to help the campus chapter of Fiji become successful. “I would want to say thank you to everyone at NKU, especially the Greek community— because as much as it sucks to say that we did fail, they did encourage us and they did help us and they did provide plenty of resources for us to reach out,” Kincaid said. “I really am grateful to them for what I’ve learned.”

Ed 64, Issue 3

Women’s Soccer Preview:

Sierra Newton

Sports 07

Aiming for Championship title

SPORTS EDITOR

The NKU women’s soccer team has started their season 2-2 after a 3-1 win against Murray State over Labor Day weekend. The Norse are attempting to find their footing, with seven freshmen and a new transfer. With a younger team comes learning and growing pains, but the soccer team is embracing the time to learn. “Developing as a team, it’s a very young team right now, but I think we all see great potential on our team and to get us to a championship,” senior midfielder and team captain Shawna Zaken said. “Just developing and learning and growing, I think that’s actually fun to do as a team.” Conference

Hannah Fischer (Top), Shawna Zaken (Bottom). NKU women’s soccer team celebrates (Below).

NKU women’s team is ranked second in the preseason conference poll after Milwaukee, who they lost to once in the regular season 1-0. “I mean, I feel like it’s really neat to be placed second,” senior defender and team captain, Hannah Fischer said. “And, it kind of gives us a reason to prove what people believe in us, and try to work to get to that position. Because if other people believe that we can get there, we can get there.” The Norse were placed third going into the Horizon League championship last year, but were taken down by the Oakland Grizzlies 2-1 in the Conference Semifinals. The Norse still feel Milwaukee is the team to beat during the regular season. “I feel like Milwaukee always challeng-

es us and it’s always been a close game,” Fischer said. “Especially beating them in the championship three years ago. It’s always a fun game. It’s always for like the first or second spot and it’s just always a really important game.” Nonconference Nonconference play is just as important as conference matchups this season, with power teams on the schedule like Ohio University, who is ranked fifth in the Mid-American Conference, the University of Kentucky, who is currently ranked eighth in the Southeastern Conference and The Big East’s fourth-ranked Xavier University. “I think our players are bought into the idea that we’re going to go out and play some top teams,” Head Coach Bob Sheehan said. “Lipscomb won their conference last year, Murray State was a top 75 team last year. So, we either play power conferences or top teams in the conference, and once our Horizon League conference schedule begins, our players are ready to play in the Horizon League and ready to compete.” Players to watch This year, the team feels as if everyone on the field can be a threat when their time comes. “I’m excited to see like a bunch of different names up on the scoreboard,” Zaken said. “We played Lipscomb and we had four goals and four different players

scored. That’s really a positive step to see how many players can get in behind and how much potential our team has.” The now-senior class was a part of that 2016 Horizon League Championship team, and knows what it takes to create those big moments to get to the championship. Sheehan feels as if the class has been excellent on and off the field, and is proud of the individual growth of the team. Sheehan said Fischer and Zaken both started on the Horizon League championship team as Freshmen. “Emily [Soltes], Ally [Perkins] and Shawna were in on the goal in the 88th minute, which was the third goal, which ultimately was the game winner in the Horizon League Championship,” Sheehan said. “They’ve had big moments already. So, again, we want to draw on that experience, and have them really lead the team to success this year.” For the newcomers on the team, it’s really about adjusting to the commitment and physicality of playing for a collegiate team. Having a team that feels like a close-knit family definitely helps with adjusting. “I think just adjusting, being away from home,” Zaken said. “I mean, there’s a lot coming in freshman year and getting adjusted to, so that’s really hard. But I think having a team like we do and how close we are helped a lot and just keeping positive.” The Norse will continue working on their growth against the University of Kentucky, Thursday, Sept. 5 in Lexington, KY. Kickoff is set for 7:35 p.m. PHOTOS BY COLIN JOHNSON

08 Sports

Men’s Soccer Preview:

Wednesday, September 4, 2019

‘Get to the playoffs, everything else is extra’ Sierra Newton SPORTS EDITOR

After a 10-win season in 2018, and a successful preseason record of one win and one tie to #8 University of Kentucky, the Norse are continuing to build. Their first game of the regular season was on the road against Grand Canyon University; that game ended 3-0 in Grand Canyon’s favor. “We had a really solid spring where we got some great results at the end,” Head Coach Stu Riddle said. “And we’ve continued that momentum now through preseason. So, I think we’re all cautiously optimistic of what lies ahead for us.” Conference The Norse are ranked sixth in the Horizon League preseason poll after Milwaukee, with Wright State picked as the favorite. “In all fairness, it’s probably about what we expected because of how we finished in conference, the last two seasons,” Riddle said. “We’ve underachieved. I don’t ever really place a lot of stock on preseason polls, but in all reality, it’s probably what we expected and gives us some motivation to prove everyone wrong.” Last year, the Norse finished seventh after the Milwaukee Panthers, landing just outside of tournament play. Last season’s most impactful game was against eventual regular season champs Wright State; the game went into double overtime before Wright State clenched the victory.

“In the conference, I think [University of Illinois at Chicago] are always strong,” junior defender Harvey Moyes said. “Wright State were obviously good last year, they won the regular season. Those are two we’ll look at and especially Wright State, you know, we played them here last year.” Nonconference Some tough nonconference play has been added to the Norse schedule in order to get the team prepared to make a run in the Horizon League. Facing the #4 ranked team in the Missouri Valley Conference, Bradley; the #4 ranked in the Atlantic 10 Conference, University of Dayton; and #5 in the Atlantic Coast Conference as well as #14 in the United Soccer Coaches preseason poll, the University of Louisville, should suffice in preparing the Norse for a Horizon League drive. “Niagara won’t be easy,” Riddle said. “And then you’ve got the likes of Louisville away, and home games to Bradley and Oral Roberts, which should be challenging as well. So, we’re really excited about all of them.” The men’s soccer players are excited to face top teams in other conferences if it means being ready for conference matches. “I think our sole focus of the team is get into the playoffs, you know, everything

Harvery Moyes (Left), Alex Willis (Middle), Coach Stu Riddle (Right).

PHOTOS BY COLIN JOHNSON

else is just extra, we have to do well in conference,” Moyes said. Players to watch Sophomore Alex Willis is an aggressive forward who made a name for himself within the Horizon League last year. Scoring 16 goals within 17 games is an incredible feat for any player, and he looks to capitalize on the opportunity this season. “For me, it’d be to probably replicate what I did last season and hopefully go on better,” Willis said. “We’ve got 18 games this regular season. I want to score 18 goals, just one to one and that’s just me being a forward. That’s my main goal because it’s my job to try and score.” The new additions are players to watch, as well. Goalkeeper Baj Maan has proven to be a great addition to the team, as well as midfielder Ali Zohar. Senior midfielder Connor Probert is key for the Norse too. “We have opportunities all over the pitch. I fancy going up against anyone with who we have,” Moyes said. Since 2016, Riddle has been at the helm of this team and has been able to change the soccer team like night and day, Moyes said. Moyes has been with the Norse since their record was 1-13-4 in the 2016

PHOTOS BY COLIN JOHNSON

season, but he understood how great the team could be. “The first year one of our first [exhibition] game[s] we beat UK and we all started to believe this is something special,” Moyes said. “The next year we added Alex and a few guys to become more offensive. Now this year, I feel that we’ve found that balance.” The Norse will continue to find their balance when they clash with the Niagara University Purple Eagles on Friday, Sept. 6. The ball drops at 7 p.m.