JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Senior midfielder Nerea de Diego scored the equalizing goal in the 88th minute to bring the EKU women's soccer team to a 1-1 draw against Jacksonville on Thursday night at Southern Oak Stadium.
 
With the draw, EKU moves to 9-6-2 on the season and 6-2-1 in Atlantic Sun Conference play with 19 points.  De Diego's goal in the 88th was her second of the season and fifth in her career.
 
Senior goalkeeper Marah Krick was the defensive highlight in Thursday's affair, going the full 90-minute distance with four saves and one goal allowed.  The Glenmoore, Pa. native in now up to a career-best 60 saves this season through 16 matches.
 
Five Colonels recorded one shot in the contest.  EKU's five shots on Thursday was its lowest value of the 2024 season.
 
Jacksonville (3-9-3, 2-5-2 ASUN) scored the opening goal in the 51st minute out of halftime as the Dolphins sent a dangerous ball in the box that found its way in the netting.
 
In the next 30 minutes of play, the Colonels would get three more looks at goal from Kaitlyn Rowlett, Kylie Fitzgerald, and Maddy Murphy that went wide of the target.
 
EKU found its break in the 88th as Paula Herranz drove a ball from the midline and took a shot that went off JU's keeper, which then was kicked out by a Dolphin defender that found the waiting boot of de Diego for the equalizer.
 
Both teams played a chippy final two minutes of action but were unable to find the advantage ending Thursday's match with a 1-1 decision.
 
Jacksonville's Laura Di Mascio led all players going 2-for-2 in shot attempts with one goal in 69 minutes of play.  The Dolphins out-shot EKU 8-5 throughout the contest and had a 5-1 advantage in shots on goal.
 
EKU will continue its road swing on Sunday against North Florida at Hodges Stadium.  Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m. EST and the match can be found live on ESPN+.