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RICHMOND, Ky. – The Eastern Kentucky University women’s soccer team will take a respite from the grind of Ohio Valley Conference play this weekend, as the Colonels travel to Farmville, Va. on Friday to face non-conference Longwood at 7:00 p.m.

EKU (6-8-2, 4-2-1 OVC) sits firmly in second place in the OVC standings, and, depending on the outcome of several games over the weekend of Oct. 28-30, the Colonels still have a shot at overtaking first-place Southeast Missouri and winning their first-ever regular season league title.

EKU’s strong play in conference can be attributed to tough defense, as the Colonels have not allowed more than one goal in seven OVC games. Senior Stephanie Murray, junior Deja Tennon, sophomores Lauren Fant and #Emily D’Italia and freshman Paige Larkin# anchor that backline, while freshman goalkeeper Annie Wickett has made 64 saves and recorded three solo shutouts this fall.

Freshman Devon Saini, meanwhile, continues to lead an opportunistic Colonel offense with four goals and one assist. Sophomore Nicole Donnelly (one goal, two assists) and freshman Stephany Ellison (two goals, one assist) have also been active up front.

Longwood (6-6-3), which is a Division I Independent, has won three of its last four, and the Lancers are led offensively by Kelsey Pardue, who has racked up six goals and four assists for a total of 16 points this season. Goalkeeper Kyra Byron, meanwhile, has notched five shutouts this fall.

Friday night’s matchup will only be the second all-time meeting between the two programs. Longwood edged EKU, 1-0, in Richmond in 2010.

The Colonels will wrap up the regular season next weekend when they host Austin Peay on Friday and Murray State on Sunday at EKU Soccer Field. Senior Day will be celebrated before Sunday’s game.