ATLANTA – The Eastern Kentucky University soccer team, in conjunction with the ASUN Conference, released the league portion of its 2023 slate that begins in September, on Monday afternoon.
 
EKU will hit the pitch for year three as an institutional member of the ASUN on Sept. 14 on the road at Lipscomb, its second opening day away match in three years in the conference. The Bison own a 2-1 record over EKU since the Colonels joined the league.
 
The squad will then return to EKU Soccer Field on Sept. 17 in its ASUN home opener against long-time rival Austin Peay. EKU claimed the first meeting in the ASUN series over the Govs last year in Clarksville, 3-2.
 
EKU will then depart Richmond for two away contests at Queens (Sept. 21) and Kennesaw State (Sept. 24.). The Colonels' match with Queens is the first meeting between the two programs and in ASUN history. EKU and KSU will meet for the first time since last year's ASUN quarterfinals where the Colonels edged the Owls, 1-0, to advance in the tournament.
 
Fans will have a two-match home glimpse at EKU towards the end of September and the start of October, as the Colonels return to face North Florida (Sept. 28) and Jacksonville (Oct. 1). Thursday's meeting with the Ospreys is the second between the two programs, UNF captured the first meeting in EKU's first season at home, 2-0. 
 
EKU will then head South for away matches against North Alabama (Oct. 5) and Central Arkansas (Oct. 8). The Colonels picked up four points against the travel partners last season in Richmond by scores of 0-0 and 3-2, respectively.
 
The team will return home for its second bout against Florida conference schools, facing Stetson (Oct. 12) and defending ASUN champions, FGCU (Oct. 15).
 
EKU will wrap up its conference slate on Oct. 21 traveling to in-state Bellarmine for the second time in two years. BU owns the all-time series 1-0-1.
 
The 2023 ASUN Championship will start towards the end of October, EKU looks to position itself for another run in the tournament, where the squad became the first member school in 23 years to advance to the semifinals in its first two seasons in the league.
 
EKU enters year three with head coach Matt Cosinuke, who recently signed a new three-year contract, extending him through the 2025 season. In four seasons at the helm of the program, Cosinuke has a 26-34-5 overall record and has produced three United Soccer Coaches All-South honorees, six ASUN postseason honorees, and back-to-back ASUN semifinals appearances.
 
The Colonels return 2021 ASUN Newcomer of the Year, Nerea de Diego, who appeared in three matches last season before her season abruptly ended with an injury.
 
Gretta Gunn, a junior from West Chester, Ohio, enters her third season in the maroon second in program history with eight assists.
 
Alongside de Diego and Gunn, EKU also returns 21 members off last year's squad who accounted for seven goals, six assists, and 23 saves.
 
EKU anticipates the debuts of 11 newcomers signed this offseason, consisting of six true-freshmen, three international signees, and two transfers.