JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Eastern Kentucky University women's soccer team falls on the road to North Florida by a score of 2-1 on Sunday afternoon at Hodges Stadium.
 
Junior midfielder Maddy Murphy scored her fourth goal of the season in the 80th minute to bring the Colonels to a one goal deficit.  Freshman forward Ella Grode led EKU striking four shots, two on target.
 
With the loss, EKU (9-7-2, 6-3-1 ASUN) returns home for one final game in the regular season next week.  The Colonels remain at 19 points in the Atlantic Sun Conference tables and will enter next week No. 5 in the standings.
 
North Florida (8-3-7, 5-1-4 ASUN) scored two goals in the first half just three minutes apart, one coming via the penalty kick spot from a foul inside the 18.
 
The Colonels cut the deficit to one in the 80th minute as Murphy caught a pass from Peyton Smith and used her right boot to find the back of the net.  Smith's assist was the third of her freshman campaign.
 
Murphy's goal in the 80th minute was her fourth of the year, tying Grode and Ana Manning with the team lead in goals.
 
EKU went the final 10 minutes of action scoreless to end Sunday's match with a 2-1 loss.  EKU goalkeeper Marah Krick went the full 90 with two saves and one goal allowed.
 
EKU and North Florida attempted 13 shots apiece with the Colonels leading in the shots on goal total 5-4.
 
The Colonels return to action next Friday against Bellarmine to conclude the 2024 regular season.  Friday's match is Alumni Day at the pitch.