OXFORD, Ohio – The Eastern Kentucky University soccer team dropped its season opener against Miami University by a score of 4-0 on Thursday night at Bobby Kramig Field.
 
Freshman Ana Manning led the Colonels with two shot attempts, one on goal, in her collegiate debut.  Gretta Gunn, Lauren Link, Ella Grode, and Sydney Taylor each hit one apiece to round out EKU's five on goal attempts of the match.
 
EKU (0-1) and Miami battled through the first 30 minutes of action taking a combined eight shot attempts.  The RedHawks broke the standoff in the 32nd minute as Caroline Palmer struck a ball from 15 yards out that found the lower left of the net.
 
The Colonels entered the break down one goal despite an equalizing chance by Link that was saved by MU's keeper Mallory Thomas.
 
Miami (1-0) found its second (62') and third (64') goals out of halftime as a torrential downpour persisted for the duration of the period.  The RedHawks found a fourth tally in the 87th minute off a free kick from the EKU goal box to end Thursday's competition, 4-0. 
 
Three different Miami players scored in Thursday's contest, led by Taylor Hamlett who had a brace with the RedHawks' final two of the match.
 
Miami led the Colonels in shots (18-7), shots on goal (6-5), saves (5-2), and corner kicks (4-2).  EKU led in possession by a wide 12 percent gap.
 
EKU continues its two-game road swing on Sunday against East Tennessee State at 1 p.m. EST.  The match can be streamed live on ESPN+ starting five minutes before kickoff.