Box Score BOX SCORE

RICHMOND, Ky. – The Eastern Kentucky University women’s soccer team tied visiting Gardner-Webb, 1-1, on Sunday afternoon at EKU Soccer Field in a game that was delayed over an hour at halftime by inclement weather and, eventually, suspended by lightning at the end of regulation. No overtime was played.

“I thought we played a good first half and set the tone early by scoring in the first five minutes,” head coach Lindsay Basalyga said. “But there was definitely a momentum shift after the rain delay, and we let Gardner-Webb back in the game in the second half.”

EKU (2-3-1) picked up right where it left off following an impressive 4-0 win at UNC Asheville on Friday, as freshman Kaylynn Brown received a pass from fellow freshman Devon Saini and scored from 12 yards out just four minutes into the game to give the Colonels an early 1-0 advantage.

After a lengthy weather delay at halftime, however, Gardner-Webb’s Megan Curan rebounded a penalty shot off the left sidebar and snuck it past freshman goalkeeper Annie Wicket to even the score just six minutes into the second half.

With more impending weather on the way, EKU furiously tried to win the game late in the second half as the Colonels took five corner kicks and three shots on goal in the last 10 minutes of regulation, but to no avail.

The game was called at the end of regulation due to lightning.

EKU outshot Gardner-Webb (1-1-2) on the day, 11-7. Brown and sophomore Nicole Donnelly led EKU with two shots on goal apiece.

Wickett played all 90 minutes in goal and surrendered just one goal while making two saves.

Sophomore Lauren Fant and freshman Paige Larkin both went the distance on an EKU backline that allowed just one goal all weekend.

EKU returns to action next weekend when the Colonels host Marshall on Friday at 5:00 p.m. and Detroit Mercy on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. at EKU Soccer Field.

“A tie is better than loss,” Basalyga said. “But there are definitely some things we need to do better before OVC play starts in a couple of weeks.”