BOX SCORE

CHARLESTON, Ill. – The Eastern Kentucky University soccer team dropped its second consecutive 1-0 decision as the Colonels fell to host Eastern Illinois Sunday afternoon. EKU now stands as 6-6-2 overall and 3-2 in the OVC.

“This game was another reality check for us,” Eastern Kentucky head coach Lindsay Basalyga said. “We wanted the team to respond [after Friday’s loss] and they showed up to practice Saturday and didn’t respond. We lost this game on Saturday morning.”

The two teams played a scoreless first half in which the best scoring opportunity was by EKU freshman Tess Akgunduz at the 30-minute mark as EIU goalkeeper Kaylin Lorbert made a stop at the near post on a ball sent in from the top of the box.

The Panthers (5-8-2, 2-2-1) turned up the offensive pressure in the second half as senior goalkeeper Stephanie Lynch turned away an early EIU scoring chance by Ashley Stried in the opening four minutes. EIU was able to finally break through as Caitlin Greene sent a ball into the box that Lynch was unable to handle. The Panthers’ Jessica Blake then redirected it home for the lone score in the 63rd minute.

EKU had one more scoring chance as senior Carly Muller’s ball from the top of the box hit the post in the 79th minute.

“We made a lot of excuses today – the weather was hot, we had some injuries – but at the end of the day we have to find a way to win,” Basalyga said.

The Colonels are now 1-5 all-time against Eastern Illinois and also fall to 1-5-1 in road games this season.

“It’s not time to panic, but we know we’re beatable now and we better figure out how to win on the road,” Basalyga said.

Eastern Kentucky is back in action Friday, Oct. 15 at Jacksonville State.