RICHMOND, Ky. – The Eastern Kentucky University soccer team rallied in the second half to tie Wright State, 3-3, in the Colonels' final exhibition match Sunday evening at EKU Soccer Field.

"We're happy with how we're starting to play," first-year head coach Nick Flohre said. "Preseason has been hard and we've been asking the players to try new concepts they haven't applied before. Tonight showed us that they're starting to really catch on to what the coaching staff has been asking."
 
Freshmen played a key role in the result. After Wright State jumped out to an early lead by scoring two goals in the first 16 minutes of action, freshman Larissa Heslop found junior Emmi Carroll for a score from five yards out to put the Colonels on the board.
 
Wright State, however, built on its lead early in the second half, as the Raiders scored in the 55^th minute to make it 3-1.
 
EKU was not finished. Freshman Kayla Childs brought EKU back to within one in the 62^nd minute, dribbling to within close range and firing a shot in from the right side. Less than ten minutes later, fellow freshman Erin Torrence tied with a beautiful goal from the middle of the box.
 
Wright State had an open look for the game-winner in the waning minutes of the game, but freshman goalkeeper Lorah Pund – a second-half substitute – made a key save to seal the draw.
 
"We're not where we want to be, but we're on the right track and we will continute to get better as we get into the season," Flohre added.

Eastern opens the regular season on the road at Ball State on Friday. First touch is set for 5:00 p.m.