Box Score

CINCINNATI, Ohio – The Eastern Kentucky University women’s soccer team was shut out, 2-0, on Friday night at Cincinnati. The loss drops the Colonels to 2-2 on the season, while the win improves the undefeated Bearcats to 3-0-1.

A week after attempting just one shot in a loss at Kentucky, EKU got its offense back in gear on Friday, attempting nine shots and tallying five corner kicks; however, the Colonels could not convert on any of their chances.

“We had our opportunities to put the ball in the back of the net,” head coach Lindsay Basalyga said. “We just need to get the ball off quicker in and around the 18.”

Junior Nikki Donnelly led EKU with three shots in the game, while sophomore Devon Saini attempted two shots, one of which was on goal. For the second straight week, one of Donnelly’s potentially game-tying shots hit the crossbar.

The Colonels were again plagued by goals off set pieces, as the Bearcats’ Lauren Hettinger headed in the game-winner off a corner kick with eight minutes remaining in the first half. Cincinnati’s leading scorer, Laura Rose, then added an insurance goal with four minutes left in regulation.

Hettinger’s first-half score was the third goal off a set piece EKU has allowed in the last two games.

“As a coaching staff, we’re going to reevaluate the way we defend set pieces,” Basalyga said. “But, at some point, players have to make plays around the net.”

EKU’s freshman goalkeeper Erika Wolfer played all 90 minutes of the loss and withstood 24 Cincinnati shots, making a career-high eight saves.

“Erika has now played back-to-back great games,” Basalyga said. “She’s a freshman, but she’s playing like a veteran. We’re challenging our attacking third of the field to play with as much risk as Erika does, because she’s coming up huge for us right now.”

EKU returns to action on Sunday when the Colonels, who are undefeated at home, host Wright State at 1:00 p.m.

“We’re disappointed in tonight’s result, but we’re not disappointed in how the players played,” Basalyga said. “We just need to capitalize on our opportunities. But, the best part about sports is redemption, and we’ll be looking to go out and redeem ourselves against Wright State on Sunday at home.”