BOX SCORE

RICHMOND, Ky. – Junior midfielder Ashley Green found fellow junior midfielder Alex Raich on a corner kick for the only score of the game as the Eastern Kentucky University women’s soccer team shutout Jacksonville State, 1-0, on Sunday afternoon at EKU Soccer Field for its first OVC victory of the season.

After a scoreless tie against Austin Peay last Friday and a heartbreaking overtime loss to Tennessee Tech two days ago, the Colonels (4-7-1, 1-1-1 OVC) were glad to get a conference win.

“We had no choice but to win today,” Raich said. “Out mindset was: we’re not going to lose this game.”

Twenty-five minutes into the game, on EKU’s first corner kick, Green launched the ball towards the goal and Raich, who was standing three yards from the net, kicked it in to put the Colonels up 1-0.

It was Raich’s second goal and first game-winner of the year, and it was Green’s second assist of the year.

The Colonels had chances in the second half to add to their lead, including a breakaway shot on goal by freshman forward Chelsea Walter; however, JSU keeper Ali Koenig made a nice save to keep the Gamecocks within a goal.

In the end, the Colonel backline delivered the victory for EKU by stifling JSU until the 90th minute and, in doing so, the unit recorded its fourth shutout of the season.

EKU outshout the Gamecocks on the day, 11-9. Green and junior midfielder Carly Muller led the Colonels with two shots apiece.

Junior keeper Stephanie Lynch played all 90 minutes for EKU and recorded four saves, including a great stop on an open shot by JSU’s Amber Delaney in the first half.

With the loss, JSU falls to 6-8-0 (0-4-0 OVC).

The Colonels will return to action on Friday, Oct. 9 when they travel to OVC foe Morehead State for a 7:00 p.m. game.

“We’re working for each other now,” Raich said. “It wasn’t just one person today, it was a team. And I think that’s how we’re going to continue to play.”