OXFORD, Ohio – The Eastern Kentucky University soccer program begins the 2024 season with two road matches this week against Miami University on Thursday and East Tennessee State on Sunday. Thursday's season opener marks the 20th season of varsity status for the Colonels.
Fans making the trip with the Colonels can attend both fixtures for free and are encouraged to adhere to entrance policies found on the host schools' website, which may differ from home games at the EKU Soccer Field.
Those not able to make the season-opening road slate can find this week's matches streamed live on Chatterbox Sports (Thursday) and ESPN+ (Sunday). Both streaming services require a subscription purchase for access.
Match One: EKU (0-0-0 ASUN) at Miami University (0-0-0 MAC)
Thursday, Aug. 15 – 7 p.m. EST
Bobby Kramig Field – Oxford, Ohio
Chatterbox Sports ($)
Match Two: EKU (0-0-0 ASUN) at East Tennessee State (0-0-0 SoCon)
Sunday, Aug. 18 – 1 p.m. EST
Summers Taylor Stadium – Johnson City, Tenn.
ESPN+ ($)
EKU head soccer coach
Matt Cosinuke enters his sixth season at the helm on Thursday night. He's guided the Colonels to 31 overall wins and three consecutive trips to the Atlantic Sun Conference tournament, including two semifinal appearances.
The Colonels returned 20 members off last year's team, including ASUN All-Conference selections
Ciana Miller (Third Team),
Nerea de Diego (Third Team),
Paula Herranz (All-Freshman Team), and goalkeeper
Marah Krick (Academic).
Among the returners, forward
Gretta Gunn returns for her fourth season with the program as EKU's all-time leader in assists (13). The West Chester, Ohio native is also top 10 in program history in points (23), shots on goal (33), and is just outside the list in goals (5) and shots (57).
EKU also inked an 8-member freshman class this offseason that consists of three All-Americans in
Ana Manning,
Ella Grode, and
Peyton Smith. The 2024 signing class is regarded as the most decorated group of incoming players in program history.
The Colonels were picked to finish fifth in the ASUN Preseason Coaches' Poll that was released on Aug. 7, seven votes behind No. 4 North Alabama and one vote ahead of No. 6 North Florida. EKU's fifth-place selection ties the highest preseason ranking in the ASUN era.
History vs. Miami (Ohio)
Thursday's match marks the fifth meeting between EKU and Miami, the RedHawks lead the head-to-head series 3-1 and +5 in goal differential. The two programs also met last season in Oxford; Miami claimed a 1-0 win scoring the game-winning goal in the 60th minute.
History vs. ETSU
Sunday's match marks the fourth meeting between EKU and ETSU, the Colonels lead the all-time series 2-1 and +2 in goal differential. EKU has won the last two meetings dating back to 2017 and have outscored the Buccaneers by a wide 6-2 gap.
