Box Score

JACKSONVILLE, Ala. – Senior Monica Rios' goal in the 22^nd minute propelled the Eastern Kentucky University soccer team to a 1-0 win over Jacksonville State in the Colonels' Ohio Valley Conference opener on Friday night at JSU Soccer Field.
 
EKU (3-6, 1-0 OVC) pressed from the opening whistle, outshooting Jacksonville State 15-6 on the night.
 
The Colonels broke through midway through the first half when sophomore Baylee Lanter lofted a corner kick into the box. A failed JSU clearance was intercepted by Rios, who tucked the ball into the lower left corner of the net to put Eastern on top.
 
From there, the EKU defense – a unit that came into the contest second in the OVC in goals-against-average (1.49) – took over.
 
Sophomore goalkeeper Zoe Aguirre recorded four saves as the Colonels earned their second clean sheet of the season.

"I'm proud of the way our family came out and competed in the first half," head coach Matt Cosinuke said. "We created a lot of chances in dangerous areas on the field. Monica had an outstanding finish and we were unlucky to not get one or two more."
 
Lanter and senior Marian Wolski led all players in the game with three shots. Lanter put two on target.
 
It is EKU's fifth consecutive win over Jacksonville State, dating back to the 2015 season.

"Picking up points on the road is incredibly difficult and I'm proud of our family's growth," Cosinuke added. "We're going to be challenged by a very good Tennessee Tech on Sunday. I'm excited to see how we handle that opportunity."
 
The Colonels now head to Cookeville, Tennessee to take on Tennessee Tech Sunday at 2 p.m.