BOX SCORE

RICHMOND, Ky. – The Eastern Kentucky University women’s soccer team opened OVC play on Friday afternoon at EKU Soccer Field with a 1-0 shutout of preseason conference favorite Murray State. Freshman Nicole Donnelly scored the game-winner, her second of the season, in the 78th minute to give the Colonels their third straight victory.

With the win, the Colonels improve to 4-4-2 on the season while the Racers, who are the defending OVC champions, drop to 1-8-2.

“We were excited to open OVC play with the preseason favorites,” head coach Lindsay Basalyga said. “In the first half, we didn’t come out with energy, but we kept plugging away, got a late goal and were able to walk away with a victory.”

After 78 minutes of rugged, physical but, ultimately, scoreless play by both teams, Donnelly, who had just been put back in the game minutes earlier, finally broke through with an unassisted goal from just five yards out that barely got past Murray State keeper Tara Isbell. It was Donnelly’s third goal of the season.

“It feels good to be able to contribute as a newcomer,” Donnelly said. “As a freshman, I look forward to improving every game.”

Following Donnelly’s goal, the Colonel backline bore down and played organized, composed defense over the final 10 minutes to keep the Racers from tying the score and, in doing so, earned its third shutout of the season.

“The way we ended this game was vastly improved over the way we ended against Detroit Mercy on Sunday,” Basalyga said. “The defense stayed organized and didn’t panic, and that’s a product of making winning a habit.”

Junior Stephanie Murray played all 90 minutes at center back and anchored the Colonels’ defensive effort. Fellow junior Heather Bruce also played all 90 minutes on the backline.

“We have a strong backline and I’m proud to play back there,” Murray said. “But we have to start stronger and not let teams come out and dictate and show us how they’re going to play their game. We have to come out and play our game.”

Senior goalkeeper Stephanie Lynch played all 90 minutes in goal and made five saves to earn her third shutout of the season and 20th of her career. The Goshen, Ky. native has surrendered only two goals in EKU’s last four games.

Isbell played all 90 minutes in goal for the Racers and made nine saves.

EKU outshot Murray State on the day, 17-11. Donnelly, senior Carly Muller and freshman Hillary Cooper all led the Colonels with three shots apiece. All three of Muller’s shots were on goal.

Rachel Longely paced Murray State with four shots on the day.

The Colonels return to action on Sunday when they face the 2009 OVC regular season champion UT Martin Skyhawks at 1:00 p.m. at EKU Soccer Field.

“It feels good to win our OVC opener,” Murray said. “But we have to keep training hard and improving ever week.”