Box Score

RICHMOND, Ky. – The Eastern Kentucky University soccer team earned its first clean sheet of the season on Friday, blanking Ball State, 1-0, in the Colonels' home opener at EKU Soccer Field.
 
Eastern improves to 2-1 with the victory over the three-time defending Mid-American Conference (MAC) West champions.
 
The Colonels struck early. In the fifth minute, senior Bailly Bounds played a pretty ball ahead to freshman Sarah Owusu, who beat the Ball State keeper to it, tipped it around her and tapped it in for a 1-0 advantage.
 
That was all EKU needed, as the Colonel backline – led by senior Kacy Eckley and sophomore Katie Shaffer – shut down the Ball State offense. The Colonels weathered 14 Ball State shots to come up with the shutout.
 
"We knew today was going to be a tough game and it was exactly as we expected," head coach Nick Flohre said. "Ball State is a very strong team whose defensive pressure causes teams trouble. We were able to create a beautiful goal early and then battled for the rest of the game. We're proud of the girls for how they competed and worked for each other. Learning from this kind of game will help us as the season goes on."
 
It was freshman Zoe Aguirre's first career shutout. The native of Corona, California made five saves in her first career start in net.
 
BSU outshot EKU, 14-6, on the day. Owusu led all Eastern players with two shots, both of which were on frame.
 
Eckley, Shaffer and junior Marian Wolski played all 90 minutes in the Colonel victory.
 
EKU returns to action on Sunday when the Colonels host IUPUI at 1 p.m.