RICHMOND, Ky. – Sophomore winger
Paula Herranz nets her first goal of the season just three minutes into the match as EKU women's soccer defeats Southern Indiana by a score of 1-0 on Sunday afternoon at the EKU Soccer Field.
Sunday's win marked the first of the 2024 campaign for the Colonels. EKU (1-3) will have a six-day break before its next competition.
Herranz, a sophomore from Madrid, Spain, tallied the game-winning goal in just the third minute of Sunday's contest. The goal was the third of her career.
Freshman forward
Ana Manning led the Colonels with four shots, followed by three shots apiece from Herranz and fellow freshman
Peyton Smith. EKU outshot Southern Indiana by a wide 22-8 gap and 8-4 on target mark.
Senior goalkeeper
Marah Krick earned the win in net going the full 90-minute distance with four saves. Sunday's win was the eighth shutout of her career, she remains in third place in program history in total shutouts.
Sunday's match got off to a hot start just three minutes into the match as Herranz found a cross from
Maddy Murphy and struck a ball off the far side bar and into the net. The assist from Murphy was the Colonels first of the season.
EKU would go on to continue its press and attempting 10 shots to end the first half up one goal. The Colonels led by 16 percent in possession in the first half of play.
The Colonels had two more shots on frame from
Lauren Link and Herranz that were saved by USI's keeper Zoe Lintner, who came in as a substitute in the 63rd minute.
EKU would hold the Screaming Eagles scoreless in the final 27 minutes of play to earn their first win of the season, a physical match that resulted in three yellow cards being issued.
The Colonels ended the final tally with a 20 percent (60-40) advantage over Southern Indiana in possession. EKU won one more corner (8-7) over USI.
EKU returns to action next Sunday against former Ohio Valley Conference foe Eastern Illinois back at the EKU Soccer Field. Admission is free to the pitch for the duration of the 2024 season, those not able to make the contest can view it live on ESPN+.
