HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. -- Indiana State was looking to build off a solid preseason and showing in the exhibition contest at Purdue last week, but it was Northern Kentucky who was able to record a 3-0 victory in the 2018 season opener in front of 575 fans at NKU Soccer Stadium.

The Sycamores falls to 0-1 while Northern Kentucky improved to 1-0. Indiana State returned to the state of Kentucky for the first time since 2016 and the Norse win evened the all-time series at 1. ISU posted a thrilling 2-1 victory last season over NKU when the two teams met at Memorial Stadium.

NKU found the back of the net first when Chloe Mills scored at the 15:24 mark off a corner kick. The Sycamores put up a valiant effort as the corner was played into the box, and was touched twice by Sycamore defenders, including a rebound off the mitt of Indiana State goalkeeper Hannah Sullivan. But Mills grabbed the rebound and pushed the ball into the net for the 1-0 Norse lead.

Northern Kentucky extended their lead out to 2-0 in the 24th minute when Emily Scott converted a penalty kick and Samantha Duwel added a strike from 18 yards out in the 39th minute off a pair of passes as they took a 3-0 lead into halftime.

Danielle Varner recorded a shot for the Sycamores in the early going but ISU was not able to put anything on goal. Kayla Trinka had a good look at goal in the 82nd minute but the ball sailed high over the cross bar. Hannah Sullivan posted a pair of saves in the second half.

The Norse held a 10-2 edge in shots, including a 5-0 advantage in shots on goal and a 4-0 mark in corner kicks.

The Sycamores return to action on Sunday, August 19 when they travel to Purdue-Fort Wayne at 1 p.m. (ET). The game will be broadcast live worldwide on YouTube.

For the latest information on the Sycamore Women's Soccer team, make sure to check out GoSycamores.com. You can also find the team on social media including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.