Box Score

RICHMOND, Ky. – The Eastern Kentucky University soccer team fell behind early, but rallied to beat Ohio Valley Conference opponent SIUE, 2-1, on Friday afternoon at EKU Soccer Field. With the win, the Colonels maintained their perfect home record (7-0-1). The seven home wins are the most in program history.

EKU dropped two games on the road last weekend, but bounced back on Friday to improve to 8-6-2 (4-2-1 OVC) and remain near the top of the OVC standings. SIUE, which came into the weekend in second-place in the OVC, fell to 7-6-2 (4-3-1 OVC).

Statistically, SIUE also came into the weekend boasting the league’s best defense, as the Cougars had not allowed a goal in four straight conference matches. However, EKU ended that streak early in the first half. After Kristen Daily scored just two minutes into the game to give SIUE an quick advantage, senior Hayley Wright responded eight minutes later with a goal of her own to knot the score. It was Wright’s first-career goal. A pair of freshmen, Amani Thomas and Mikala Ferguson, were credited with an assist on the score.

In the 19th minute, junior Lauren Fant delivered the game-winner, coming forward to score off a corner kick from sophomore #Emily D’Italia#. It was Fant’s third goal of the season, and all three have been off the foot of D’Italia. It was D’Italia’s school-record fourth assist of the fall.

SIUE attempted four more shots than EKU in the second half, but could not convert, as the Colonels held on for a crucial conference victory heading into the regular season homestretch.

“I’m really pleased with our performance on the day,” head coach Lindsay Basalyga said. “We played with focus, confidence and the discipline necessary on both sides of the ball to get the result. Our backline was extremely solid today with Paige and Lauren getting forward into the attack and Deja and Emily keeping us organized in transition. Our forwards and midfielders did a great job working off the ball and stayed committed to both their attacking and defensive rolls.”

Fant, D’Italia, senior Deja Tennon and sophomore Paige Larkin played all 90 minutes of the game on EKU’s backline, while junior Brittany Nomady went the distance in the midfield, firing a team-high two shots during the match.

Freshman goalkeeper Sam Melton made her first start since October 7 against Tennessee Tech and made four saves to earn the win.

The Colonels return to action on Sunday afternoon with their regular season home finale against Eastern Illinois. First touch is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. Seniors Tennon and Wright are set to be honored before the game.

EKU will then play on the road at Murray State and Austin Peay next weekend before the OVC Tournament gets underway on November 1.

“I still don’t think we’ve peaked yet,” Basalyga added. “Which is exciting, because we still have plenty of season left to play.”