RICHMOND, Ky. – Eastern Kentucky soccer falls to Florida Gulf Coast by a score of 5-1 on Thursday night at the EKU Soccer Field in the ASUN Match of the Week.
 
With the loss, EKU moves to 6-4-2 and 2-2-2 in conference play with four regular season matches remaining.
 
"Credit to Florida Gulf Coast, I think they did a really good job in finishing the chances they created," said head coach Matt Cosinuke. "Soccer is a really cruel game sometimes, but I think this might have been one of our best performances of the entire season. I think we created loads of opportunities to score the ball, we defended well in the beginning of the game in staying compact. I think our team's ability to execute the gameplan was very good today, I think in some other games this would have been a very different outcome. I'm proud of the way we continued to battle, even as the score went in the other direction, continued to fight, continued to connect, and believe, I think that's what were about at this point in the season. No time to feel sorry for yourself, no time to put your head down, back to training tomorrow to get ready for another quality opponent coming in."
 
FGCU set the tone early scoring in the third minute off a goal from forward Katelyn Kauffman. The Eagles followed their early tally with two more first-half goals by Erika Zshuppe and Malaya Melancon in the 31st and 42nd minutes.
 
Despite the 3-0 deficit heading into the break, EKU led the totals in shots at 11-9 thanks to a career-high five shots from sophomore Gretta Gunn.
 
The Colonels would add their lone score in the 58th minute as senior Maddy Lemery struck a perfect ball placed by Gunn into the back of the net for her third goal in two matches.
 
Florida Gulf Coast would go on to add two more goals in the 63rd and 67th minute, ending the ASUN Match of the Week with an uneven 5-1 victory.
 
First-year Payton Payne made her first collegiate start in the loss. Goalkeeper Carly Dean made her first appearance in net this season for the Colonels, logging 18 minutes and holding the Eagles scoreless after facing four shots.
 
EKU used 26 student-athletes in Thursday's loss, its highest total of the season.
 
FGCU claimed the advantage in shots (22-17), corner kicks (9-1), saves (8-4), and possession (53 percent) over the Colonels.
 
EKU looks to bounce back following tonight's result on Sunday, Oct. 9 at home as the program celebrates 10 family members in the 2022 class against Stetson at 1:00 p.m. ET. Fans are encouraged to arrive early to partake in pre-match festivities.
 
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