Box Score 

RICHMOND, Ky. – The Eastern Kentucky University soccer team fell to in-state rival Northern Kentucky, 3-1, on Sunday afternoon.
 
NKU (3-3) struck early when Shawna Zaken took a pass from Kailey Ivins and scored in the 6^th minute to put the Norse ahead.
 
EKU's response was swift, however, as junior Kylie Thompson scored four minutes later off a ball from junior Claire Hicks.
 
It was Thompson's team-leading third goal of the season and Hicks' first-career assist.
 
Zaken struck again in the 29^th minute, putting NKU ahead for good courtesy of an assist off the foot of Hannah Fischer.
 
The Norse added an insurance goal late in the second half when Ally Perkins scored off a corner kick.
 
"NKU is a good team with a ton of size and ability on set pieces. They made life really difficult at times for us," head coach Matt Cosinuke said. "I thought we kept the ball and created a number of dangerous chances during the game. The difference was NKU took advantage of our mistakes and we did not capitalize on theirs."
 
Zaken led all players in the game with four shots, three of which were on frame; however, EKU outshot NKU on the day, 12-9. Four Colonels – Thompson, sophomore Sarah Owusu and freshmen Maddy Lemery and Sidney Kemp – fired two shots apiece.
 
Junior Katie Shaffer played all 90 minutes on the backline for EKU.
 
Junior goalkeeper Billie Clark made three saves in net.
 
"This family is built on the identity that we will 'embrace the battle'," Cosinuke added. "We've gone through a lot of adversity during our non-conference season. It's only going to help us peak at the right time and make us a stronger family."
 
The Colonels stay home to host Kentucky on Thursday, Sept. 12. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:00 p.m.