ATLANTA – The Eastern Kentucky University soccer team, in conjunction with the Atlantic Sun Conference office, has announced the Colonels' 11-game conference slate during the 2024 season that will begin in mid-September and features six games at the EKU Soccer Field.
 
Thursday's conference schedule release marks year four in the ASUN Conference, EKU has reached the conference tournament each year as a member institution in the league. The Colonels' full 2024 schedule, including non-conference opponents, will be released in the coming weeks.
 
EKU will open ASUN play against Lipscomb (Sept. 19) at home and end the first week against long-time rival Austin Peay (Sept. 22) on the road.
 
The Colonels will return to Richmond to host Florida Gulf Coast (Sept. 26) and Stetson (Sept. 29) to end the month.  
 
After the home swing, EKU will head to Central Arkansas (Oct. 3) and North Alabama (Oct. 6) to open October.  The Colonels have recorded two draws against the Sugar Bears and Lions in road contests since joining the league in 2021.  Five of EKU's first six opponents made the conference tournament last season.
 
EKU will then make the trek back home to face the ASUN's two newest members, West Georgia (Oct. 10) and Queens (Oct. 13) during a pivotal point in the season.  The Colonels are seeking to avenge their loss in PKs to the Royals in the ASUN tournament last season.
 
The following week, EKU heads to Duval County to face Jacksonville (Oct. 17) and North Florida (Oct. 20) for the first time as a member of the league.  Since joining in 2021, EKU is 2-1-1 over the travel partners.
 
The Colonels will end the regular season by hosting in-state Bellarmine (Oct. 26) for Homecoming and Alumni Weekend.  Despite being just 83 miles apart, EKU has had to travel to Louisville for the last two years and will host the Knights for just the first time since 2021.  The Colonels have earned four points over Bellarmine during the last two seasons.
 
The 2024 ASUN Championship will start towards the end of October, EKU prepares for its fourth consecutive conference tournament trip, the Colonels became the first member school in 23 years to advance to the semifinals in its first two seasons in the league.  
 
EKU returns 21 student-athletes from last year's team, including ASUN All-Conference selections Nerea de Diego, Marah Krick, and Paula Herranz.  The Colonels also added a nine-member freshman class which is regarded as the most highly decorated group of incoming freshmen in program history – consisting of three all-americans and a youth national team selection.