Box Score BOX SCORE

RICHMOND, Ky. – Freshman Devon Sainii scored a pair of goals on Sunday afternoon, the latter of which came three minutes into sudden-death overtime to lift the Eastern Kentucky University women’s soccer team past regionally-ranked Miami, 2-1, at EKU Soccer Field.

“We came out and played with a little bit of vengeance today,” Saini said. “We lost our first three games of the season, and we weren’t about to lose our fourth.”

The rookie forward gave EKU (1-3) the lead 20 minutes into the second half when she received a pass from sophomore Brittany Nomady and scored from 15 yards out, burying a shot into the upper right-hand corner of the net.

Miami, who entered Sunday’s game ranked 10th in the Great Lakes Region by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA), responded in the 79th minute, though, when Jess Kodiak scored from 18 yards out to even the score, 1-1.

Three minutes into overtime, Saini struck again, this time beating Miami goalkeeper Allison Norenberg to a perfect ball from sophomore Lauren Fant and sneaking a shot past Norenberg that dramatically rolled into the net to give EKU its first win of the season and first-ever win over Miami, a team that gained regional recognition after impressive wins over IUPUI and defending Ohio Valley Conference champion Morehead State to open the season.

“Deja Tennon created space for a great through ball by Lauren, and the composure by Devon to finish off the game was excellent,” head coach Lindsay Basalyga said of the game-winning run.

“It really was a beautiful ball by Fant,” Saini added. “I was just there to finish it.”

Freshman Annie Wickett made her third straight start at goalkeeper and allowed just one goal while recording six saves to earn her first collegiate win.

The Colonels entered the game with a new-look starting lineup, as Tennon moved from the backline to forward and seniors Heather Bruce and Stephanie Murray made their first starts of 2011. Murray, playing on defense for the first time this season, Fant and freshman Paige Larkin all went the distance in the dramatic EKU victory.

“This was a team win,” Basalyga said. “We had leadership on the field, went deep off the bench again, and the energy from the bench was exactly where it needed to be.”

“We have the ability, but if we don’t have the correct mindset, it will be hard for us to win games,” Saini added. “This win will help give us that mindset.”

EKU returns to action on Friday when the Colonels travel UNC Asheville to play the Bulldogs at 4:00 p.m.