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RICHMOND, Ky. – Fresh off an exciting, come-from-behind victory over in-state rival Morehead State last weekend, the Eastern Kentucky University soccer team will look to ride a wave of momentum into its first-ever meeting with Ohio Valley Conference newcomer Belmont on Friday at 7:00 p.m. in Nashville.

EKU (5-4-1, 1-0-0 OVC) has now won three of its last four games. The Colonels are led by junior Nikki Donnelly, the reigning OVC Offensive Player of the Week who scored two goals in the final eight minutes of play on Sunday to stun Morehead State. The goals were Donnelly’s fourth and fifth of the season, and they made her the all-time leading goal scorer in EKU soccer history.

Despite Donnelly’s recent outburst, Friday’s tilt has the makings of defensive showdown. Belmont (0.99) and EKU (1.26) are ranked third and fourth in the OVC, respectively, in goals against average, and EKU’s veteran backline of senior Deja Tennon, junior Lauren Fant and sophomores #Emily D’Italia and Paige Larkin# did not allow multiple goals in any regular season OVC game last season.

Goalkeeper Nicole Berner leads Belmont’s staunch defense, as she has recorded three shutouts and surrendered just eight scores this season. Katie Proud, meanwhile, has scored three goals on the fall and is the catalyst of the Bruin offense.

Belmont (4-4-0, 0-0-0 OVC) joined the OVC in the offseason and has not yet played a conference game, making Friday’s matchup against EKU its official welcome to the league. The Bruins, who were picked to finish fifth in the OVC preseason poll, have already logged notable wins against Toledo and Evansville; however, they have lost two straight to Middle Tennessee State and Western Kentucky heading into this weekend’s affair.

Following Friday night’s game, The Colonels have Sunday off before hosting Jacksonville State and Tennessee Tech next weekend at EKU Soccer Field.