RICHMOND, Ky. – To kick off the 2023 home slate, Eastern Kentucky University soccer falls to Western Michigan by a score of 2-1, despite a late first career goal by freshman Ruby Dunlevy, on Sunday afternoon at the EKU Soccer Field.
 
EKU (0-2-0) scored its first goal of the 2023 season in the 87th minute as Dunlevy struck a perfectly placed through ball from Paula Herranz and Gretta Gunn to the back of the net to bring the Colonels to a one-goal deficit. 
 
WMU (2-0-0) completes a bluegrass tour with two wins before returning to Kalamazoo for its home opener.

Gunn's assist in the 87th marked the ninth assist of her three-year career in Richmond, which ties the EKU program record set by Jordan Foster in 2017.
 
Dunlevy and senior Kylie Fitzgerald led the Colonels with two shots on the afternoon. Marah Krick earned a season-high four saves on 16 faced shots and 90 minutes in net.
 
EKU had an opportunity just six minutes into Sunday's match as Gunn was fouled a few feet outside the oppositions box. Fitzgerald elected to take the free kick and sent over the crossbar. Both teams would remain silent for the next 12 minutes as WMU's Jen Blitchok fired two shots in one minute of play, one that was blocked by the EKU backline.
 
Western Michigan claimed the advantage in the 33rd minute with its own free kick goal, Drew Martin shot the ball over the EKU line and into the right pocket for the 1-0 lead.
 
Just 43 seconds out of the half, EKU senior Mackenzie Burdick used her knee to strike a ball into the gloves of WMU's keeper, Lauren Boafo, who left the match with three saves.
 
Krick had consecutive saves in the 83^rd minute to keep the Broncos just one goal ahead of EKU, both shots were saved in the bottom center of the frame.
 
WMU picked up a two-goal lead in the 85th as Blitchok caught a pass from teammates Emily Pagett and Heidi Thomasma that snuck past Krick for her second goal of the season.
 
Dunlevy, a Cold Spring, Ky. product, tacked EKU's first goal of the 2023 campaign in the 87th minute that was assisted by Herranz. However, the added effort in the last five minutes wasn't enough to overcome WMU's lead as the horn sounded.
 
Western Michigan led the match in shots (16-7) and shots on goal (6-4). EKU led the effort with four saves to WMU's three. Both teams were awarded three corners, neither team being able to connect on their chances.
 
EKU concludes its home stand on Thursday, Aug. 24 hosting Belmont at the EKU Soccer Field. The match is scheduled for a 4 p.m. start and can be viewed on ESPN+. As a reminder, admission to the EKU Soccer Field is free for the duration of the 2023 season.