CONWAY, Ark. – The Eastern Kentucky University women's soccer program continues Atlantic Sun Conference play with a road contest against Central Arkansas on Thursday night at the Bill Stephens Track/Soccer Complex.
Thursday's match is schedule to kickoff at 8 p.m. EST and will be the ASUN Match of the Week, featuring the current No. 1 and No. 2 teams in the conference standings. The match will be available to stream live on ESPN+ beginning five minutes before first touch.
Match 13: EKU (6-5-1, 3-1-0 ASUN) at Central Arkansas (4-5-1, 3-0-1 ASUN)
Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024 – 8 p.m. EST
Bill Stephens Track/Soccer Complex – Conway, Ark.
ESPN+
Live Stats
EKU enters play on Thursday coming off two home wins against FGCU and Stetson last weekend in Lexington. The Colonels totaled 15 points in the stretch, including five goals and five assists, both wins were earned in comeback fashion – the first time EKU has won consecutive come-from-behind victories since 2016.
With the wins, EKU climbed to No. 2 in the ASUN tables with nine points and is tied for first in the conference with Lipscomb in wins (6).
EKU's
Ella Grode enters play as the reigning ASUN Player of the Week after recording three points on the week, including the game-winning goal in the 88th minute to seal a 3-2 victory for the Colonels on Sunday.
Kaitlyn Rowlett was also named the ASUN Defensive Player of the Week after pitching two 90-minute efforts on the back line. She also assisted Grode's game-winner in Sunday's win.
Freshman forward
Ana Manning continues to improve offensively, striking a team-leading 32 shots, 12 on target, and is tied for the team lead in goals. The Loveland, Ohio product is top 100 in the country with her 3.20 shots per game and third in the ASUN Conference.
Scouting Central Arkansas
Current No. 1 in the league, Central Arkansas has won four of its last five games over Louisiana Monroe, Queens, West Georgia, and Lipscomb. The Sugar Bears played to a 2-2 draw last time out on the road against Austin Peay.
UCA is led by senior midfielder Kelly Van Gundy, who is tied for the team lead with four goals this season and has two game winners in her last three matches. She logged the game-winning goal over the Colonels last season in Conway.
History vs. Central Arkansas
Thursday's match marks the fourth meeting between EKU and UCA, who narrowly leads the all-time series 2-1 and is +1 in goal differential. EKU is seeking its first win over Central Arkansas on the road, having played to two competitive 2-1 losses in both meetings away from Richmond.
