RICHMOND, Ky. – The Eastern Kentucky University women's soccer team completes the week with a 1-0 shutout victory over Youngstown State on Sunday afternoon at the EKU Soccer Field.
 
Senior midfielder Nerea de Diego recorded the game-winning goal in the 22nd minute.  EKU held the Penguins to just seven shots across the 90-minute fixture to record the team's second shutout in its last four matches.
 
With the win, EKU (3-3-1) jumps to .500 on the season after dropping its first three matches of 2024.  The Colonels have earned 10 points in their last four matches, consisting of three wins and a draw.
 
EKU outshot Youngstown State by 10, led by freshman Ana Manning who had four just off target. de Diego and Lauren Link totaled three shots apiece.
 
Goalkeeper Marah Krick earned the win in net with two saves, stopping both of Taylor Berry's attempts in the 51st and 66th minutes.
 
The Colonels got on the board just 22 minutes into Sunday's contest as Kaitlyn Rowlett send a long cross into the box that was hit out via the YSU backline that de Diego caught to send a rocket in the far 90 of the frame for the goal.
 
Despite the early EKU goal, Youngstown State (2-3-2) was never able to recover after the goal and went 68 minutes with little pressure on the home side of the field.  Gretta Gunn, Chiara Premoli, and Kylie Fitzgerald were the other three Colonels to get shots on frame in the win.
 
EKU claimed 51 percent of the possession and went +3  in corners in Sunday's victory.
 
The Colonels return to action next Thursday traveling to Nashville to face Vanderbilt.  The match is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. EST and can be viewed on SEC Network+.