NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Eastern Kentucky University women's soccer team is set to end the non-conference portion of its 2024 season on Thursday against Vanderbilt on the road.
 
Thursday's game is scheduled to kickoff at 8 p.m. EST and will be aired live on SEC Network+.  Admission is free to the Vanderbilt Soccer Complex for the EKU faithful making the trip to the Music City, VU entrance policies can be found here.
 
Match Eight: EKU (3-3-1) at Vanderbilt (4-0-2)
Thursday, Sept. 12 – 8 p.m. EST
Vanderbilt Soccer Complex – Nashville, Tenn.
ESPN+
Live Stats
 
EKU enters Thursday's match winners of three of its last four games, earning 10 points in the stretch with victories over Southern Indiana, Northern Kentucky, Youngstown State, and a home draw against Eastern Illinois.
 
Junior midfielder Maddy Murphy enters play the reigning Atlantic Sun Conference Player of the Week after recording a brace in the 3-1 win at NKU.  The weekly honor was the first of her career.
 
Freshman forwards Ana Manning and Ella Grode look to continue their hot streak in the non-conference finale, having combined for 37 shots, 14 shots on target, four goals, and four assists through seven matches.  Grode has scored with an assist in two of her last three games.
 
EKU is top three in the ASUN Conference in shots (88), shots on frame (38), and assists (7).  Manning remains top 75 in the NCAA and fourth in the ASUN individually in shots per game (3.57).
 
The Colonels have moved to fourth place in the ASUN Conference standings after their recent fixtures.  With a win over Vandy on Thursday, EKU would move to 13 points earned in the non-con slate which would be the most since 2016 (15) and tied for second in program history with the 2012 squad.
 
Scouting Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt (4-0-2) enters play on Thursday unbeaten and is coming off a 3-0 shutout against Middle Tennessee at home.  The Commodores have outscored their opponents 15-1 on the season and all four of their wins have come by three or more goals. 
 
VU is led by Sydney Watts and Caroline Betts who have logged three goals apiece and combined for 20 shots on the season.  Five Commodores are multi-goal scorers and seven players have scored this season.
 
Sara Wokdelko has appeared in net in six of seven games and has 11 saves and four clean sheets.

History vs. Vanderbilt
Thursday's match is the first meeting between EKU and Vanderbilt.  The Colonels are seeking their first win over a Southeastern Conference (SEC) opponent since taking down Kentucky on the road in 2018, 1-0.