RICHMOND, Ky. – The Eastern Kentucky University soccer team drops the 17th running of Bluegrass Cup against rival Morehead State by a score of 2-1 on Thursday evening at the EKU Soccer Field.
 
Freshman forward Ana Manning recorded her first collegiate goal just four minutes into Thursday's contest. The Cincinnati, Ohio native led the Colonels with five shots against the Eagles, three on target.
 
Joining Manning in the multi-shot column was senior midfielder Nerea de Diego, who totaled two shots in the loss.  EKU was outshot 20-9 against Morehead State, including 8-3 in shots on goal.
 
Freshman Ruby Morgan suffered the loss in net going the full 90-minute distance with a career-best six saves.  Thursday's match was her first collegiate start and second appearance through three matches this year.
 
EKU struck early taking a 1-0 lead just four minutes into the match as Manning took advantage of a lapse in the Eagles' defense, striking a ball from just outside 12-yard mark that found the lower left of the netting.
 
Despite the Colonels attacking formation, Morehead State (1-1-1) found its equalizer in the 18th minute as Kennedy Baquero caught a pass from Erin Fite around the center of the 18-yard mark and used her right boot to strike a ball just over Morgan's gloves in the top of the goal.
 
EKU and MSU went toe-to-toe as the halftime whistle sounded with a one-one result on the scoreboard.  The Eagles led EKU 7-4 in first half shots.
 
Just 10 minutes out of the break, Morehead's Hannah Burke sent a cross to the box that hit off the crossbar and found the right foot of the red-hot Carlie Thurmond, giving the Eagles a 2-1 advantage over EKU.  Thursday's goal was Thurmond's second on the young season.
 
As the chippy contest continued, EKU suffered another blow in the 63rd minute as freshman forward Ella Grode was given a red card for serious foul play, resulting in a 10-man field for the Colonels in the final 27 minutes of action.
 
The Eagles went on to outshoot EKU 13-5 in the second half and attempted three more corners than the Colonels, ending the match in a 2-1 result.
 
EKU returns to action on Sunday at 1 p.m. EST against Southern Indiana back at the EKU Soccer Field. Admission is free to the pitch and for those not able to make the contest, can be found live on ESPN+.