CHICAGO – The Eastern Kentucky University women's soccer program dropped a hard-fought 2-1 result to DePaul, who scored the game-winning goal in the 81st minute, on Thursday night at Wish Field.
 
With the decision, EKU falls to 0-3-1 with three non-conference matches remaining.
 
"Obviously, we're disappointed in the result, coming to a quality Big East opponent, we needed to take advantage of what we are good at," said head coach Matt Cosinuke. "I think DePaul took advantage of some individual moments, scored two goals, and deserved their result. It's another learning lesson for us as we continue to mature and grow as a program, nothing is given, everything is earned. We have to continue to put our foot on the gas, this is not the time to feel sorry for ourselves, we have to continue to get better and at a fast pace."
 
EKU picked up another goal from freshman Ruby Dunlevy, who gave the Colonels the opening go-ahead goal in the 11th minute on Thursday. Her goal was assisted by junior Gretta Gunn, who notched her second of the season to set the EKU school record at 10 career assists, passing alum Jordan Foster.
 
The Colonels had the opportunity to pad their lead to two, as Maia Ransom and Maddy Murphy attempted shots on frame in the 30th minute, both saved by the Blue Demons' keeper.
 
DePaul equalized the match at 1-1 four minutes later from Ellie Mink, who scored her third goal of the season off a header off the corner.
 
Gunn opened the second half with a shot attempt (61') that was saved by DU's Elena Milam, who ended the night with five saves.
 
EKU and DePaul continued the back-and-forth affair deep into the second half, the Blue Demons claimed the advantage in the 81st minute as Beth Smyth narrowly paced the ball out of Marah Krick's reach for the 2-1 lead.
 
The Colonels nearly converted the equalizer in the 86^th, as freshman Erica Cox struck a ball that found the DePaul keeper in the center of the frame. EKU left the match one goal shy to conclude its trip to The Windy City.
 
DePaul ended Thursday's contest with the lead in shots (13-9), shots on goal (7-6), and corners (11-5).
 
EKU returns home and continues its quest for its first win of the 2023 campaign with a match on Sunday, Sept. 3 against Eastern Michigan at 1 p.m. As a reminder, admission is free to the EKU Soccer Field for the duration of the season, gates are scheduled to open one hour prior to kickoff. Fans not able to make the match can tune in via ESPN+.