Box Score
RICHMOND, Ky. – The Eastern Kentucky University soccer team fell to first-place Murray State, 2-1, in double overtime on Sunday afternoon.
Murray State (8-5, 5-0 OVC) stayed unbeaten in the Ohio Valley Conference with the win, but it did not come easy. The Colonels took it to the Racers early, and a goal by sophomore
Sarah Owusu in the 31
st minute put Eastern on top, 1-0.
Senior
Marian Wolski served a deep, high ball into the box, and Owusu headed it in for her third goal of the year. It was Wolski's first assist of the season.
EKU (4-9, 2-3 OVC) held the lead for more than 40 minutes, before Murray State's leading scorer, Miyah Watford, finally got the equalizer in the 75
th minute.
The Colonels, however, did not back down. Owusu appeared to score the go-ahead goal late in regulation, but was whistled for offsides. Owusu then put a dangerous shot on frame in the first overtime.
Less than a minute into the second overtime, however, Abby Jones served a corner kick into the box that Symone Cooper headed in for the winner.
"I'm so disappointed for our family," head coach
Matt Cosinuke said. "They battled for each other incredibly well today. We played the way we wanted and I'm proud of these women for that."
Murray State outshot outshot Eastern on the day, 15-11. However, the Colonels outshot the Racers, 8-6, over the second half and two overtime periods.
Wolski fired a team-high three shots in the game. Owusu and freshman
Ali Kirk both attempted two.
Junior defenders
Katie Shaffer and
Claire Hicks played all 101 minutes of the game on EKU's backline.
Goalkeeper
Billie Clark made four saves on the day.
"To dominate long stretches, win physical battles and create a number of chances shows growth and improvement," Cosinuke added. "Soccer is a cruel game, and we look forward to playing Murray State again."
EKU will host Southeast Missouri and UT Martin next weekend in Richmond.
