JACKSONVILLE, Ala. – Eastern Kentucky soccer rebounds after a loss last Thursday, completing the away portion of its ASUN regular season matches with a 1-0 victory over Jacksonville State on Sunday afternoon at the JSU Soccer Complex.
 
With the win, EKU moves to 8-5-2 overall and 4-3-2 in conference play with 14 total points.
 
"Credit to JSU for playing super direct in the second half and making the outcome difficult for us. They battled and worked incredibly hard." said head coach Matt Cosinuke. "I'm proud of our fight, our togetherness, and our ability to create dangerous moments offensively. We also were solid in the back and had answers to JSU's game plan for the 90 minutes. We always say the tougher team wins on Sunday, so to go 7 of 9 this season shows growth, maturity, and flat-out mentality."
 
Eastern Kentucky and Jacksonville State went scoreless through the first 37 minutes of regulation, the Colonels applied offensive pressure outshooting the Gamecocks 6-1 in this span.
 
Senior Myla Sharpless broke the tie after getting fouled in the JSU box and was awarded the penalty kick. The Pittsburgh, Pa. native used her right foot to trick the keeper into going the other way for the 1-0 EKU lead.
 
The Colonels would enter the halftime break up one with a 8-2 advantage in shots and 2-1 advantage in corners.
 
Jacksonville State switched keepers after the halftime pause, substituting Bailey Dean for Morgan Lerch.
 
In the 53rd minute, EKU keeper Carly Dean acrobatically rejected Aayanna Minott's shot, protecting the EKU advantage.
 
EKU and JSU battled physically in the last 30 minutes of regulation, both teams combined for 18 fouls and two yellow cards.
 
The Colonels fired off eight shots late in the second half, keeping the ball on the JSU side of the pitch and held the 1-0 lead as the final horn sounded.
 
Nine players in EKU's starting 11 attempted at least one shot in today's tilt, Sharpless led the Colonels with three shots.
 
Juniors Kylie Fitzgerald, Mackenzie Burdick, and freshman Maddy Murphy followed suit, each attempting two shots apiece.
 
Eastern Kentucky led the match with the clear advantage in shots (19-7), shots on goal (10-3), possession (55 percent), and corner kicks (4-1). 
 
EKU returns home to conclude the ASUN regular season portion of its schedule net Friday, October 21 at 1:00 p.m. against Liberty.