Box Score

LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Eastern Kentucky University soccer team nearly forced overtime against host Kentucky, but the Wildcats escaped with a 2-1 win over the Colonels Friday night at the UK Soccer Complex.

Junior Nikki Donnelly hit the crossbar on a shot in the 86th minute that would have leveled the score at 2-all. EKU (2-1) was seeking its first-ever win versus Kentucky (2-0) and has now dropped each of the last two meetings by counts of 2-1.

“Unfortunately, they scored on two set pieces,” Eastern head coach Lindsay Basalyga said. “That’s disappointing. But, it’s something we’ll have to work on going forward. The players are disappointed, but they’re also proud of the fact that they worked themselves back into the game.”

Kentucky got on the board 20 minutes into the contest when Ashley VanLandingham scored her second goal of the season on a free kick from 25 yards out.

Early in the second half, the Wildcats capitalized on a corner kick to extend their lead to 2-0. Arin Gilliland headed in the cross from Danielle Krohn.

Eastern Kentucky finally found the back of the net in the 69th minute thanks to an own goal. The Colonels nearly tied the game with four minutes left in regulation when Donnelly hit the crossbar.

“We gained some confidence from this because we hung with a very good team,” Basalyga said. “I think we’re starting to define who we are as a team and as a program.”

EKU is back in action one week from today, Aug. 31, when the Colonels travel to Cincinnati.