Box Score (PDF)

RICHMOND, Ky. – Junior Amani Thomas scored 21 seconds into the game and the Eastern Kentucky University soccer team never looked back, as the Colonels defeated visiting Alabama A&M, 7-0, in their home opener on Friday afternoon at EKU Soccer Field.
 
With the win, the surging Colonels improve to 2-0-0 on the young season.
 
Thomas's goal – which came off a pinpoint cross from senior Kaylynn Brown – was the fastest in EKU soccer history, and the seven goals scored by the team were the most in a single game in program history.
 
"We view each game as an opportunity to earn a win, but more importantly, as an opportunity to improve as a team in order to ultimately prepare for OVC play," head coach Melissa Barnes said following EKU's record-breaking performance. "We did that today, so I am pleased with our performance. Alabama A&M is a team that can punish your mistakes. Fortunately, we didn't allow them an opportunity."
 
After Thomas's quick strike kick-started the Colonel attack, sophomore Cassie Smith – EKU's leading scorer from a year ago – got in on the action in the fifth minute, rebounding a missed header by freshman Emmi Carroll and scoring to make it 2-0.
 
Junior Dani Cant added a final first-half goal in the 39^th minute, burying a shot a shot from the right side that hit the far post and in to send the Colonels into the locker room at halftime up 3-0.
 
EKU opened the second half eerily similar to the way it opened the first, as Smith scored her second goal of the game from the center of the box just 40 seconds after the whistle.
 
Five minutes later, Carroll – the hero of EKU's season-opening win at Western Carolina – got in on the action, scoring an unassisted goal from the center of the box to make it 5-0 in favor of Eastern.
 
In the 72^nd minute, senior Ashley Ryan took a cross from freshman Jordan Foster and scored to make it 6-0. Finally, with seven minutes to play in regulation, Cant capped the scoring streak with her second goal of the day, dribbling it by the AAMU goalkeeper and scoring from close range to make it 7-0.
 
EKU outshot AAMU, 32-3, on the day.
 
Freshman Anna Hall and junior Erika Wolfer split time in goal to earn the clean sheet.
 
Making her first-career start at outside back, freshman Makenna Sullivan played all 90 minutes of the win to lead an EKU defense that has not allowed a goal through 180 minutes of play this season.
 
Senior center back Emily D'Italia only sat for one minute of the game and also played a huge role in the shutout.
 
In all, 20 Colonels were able to see the field during the win.
 
EKU returns to action on Sunday in a tough test at Evansville. First touch is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. ET.