Box Score (PDF)

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – The Eastern Kentucky University soccer team fell, 2-1, in its season-opening match at Horizon League favorite Northern Kentucky on Friday night
 
The Colonels (0-1) struck early in the first half, as senior forward Emmi Carroll connected on a free kick just outside of the box that found the left corner of the net.
 
The Norse (1-0) evened up the score with a free-kick goal of their own in the 25^th minute, this one off the foot of Macy Hamblin. The teams remained deadlocked until the 61^st minute, when Jessica Frey buried the game-winner off a failed clearance in front of the EKU net.
 
The Colonels tried to rally in the waning moments of the game, firing five shots in the last 10 minutes, three of which were on goal, but none found the back of the net.
 
"NKU is a very good team and it's easy to see why they're the defending Horizon League champions," head coach Nick Flohre said. "We started the game well and had great energy, but made a couple of bad mistakes and they took advantage."
 
In total, EKU attempted 12 shots on the night, four of which were on target. Senior forward Jordan Foster led all players in the game with seven shots. Carroll and sophomore forward Sam Eastes each contributed two.
 
Senior goalkeeper Anna Hall recorded four saves in the loss. Junior defenders Haley Kemper and Kacy Eckley never left the field of play for the Colonels.
 
"This is something to build on," Flohre added. "We had a lot of good play and will keep working to make it more consistent. The players will be ready to take our next chance on Sunday."
 
EKU will be back in action Sunday, as they travel to the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Game time is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.