RICHMOND, Ky. – The Eastern Kentucky University women's soccer team will open the 2025 season on Thursday against Toledo at Lexington Sporting Club's Field No. 3.
Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. ET after being pushed back one-hour from its original 2 p.m. slot. The game will air live on ESPN+ with Wes Chandler on the call. Admission is free for all regular-season home matches.
The LSC Complex will host EKU's first three games, as announced earlier this week creating a partnership between the club and university. Fans can find facility details online
here.
Pets are not permitted at the complex, and chewing gum and tobacco products are also prohibited. All spectators must remain outside the fence surrounding the playing area. A full list of complex rules is available online
here.
The Colonels are coming off one of the most successful seasons in program history, advancing to the Atlantic Sun Conference finals in 2024. EKU finished with a 12-8-3 overall record and nine wins against league opponents.
Fourteen players return from last year's team, including five all-conference selections in
Ella Grode (second team),
Chiara Premoli (second team),
Ana Manning (third team),
Rachel Robinson (third team) and
Kaitlyn Rowlett (third team).
The 2025 roster also features 13 newcomers, including three Division I transfers in
Juliet Strange (Maryland),
Avery May (Dayton) and
Stephanie Liu (Gardner-Webb), along with a 10-member true freshman class.
EKU was picked to finish third in the ASUN Preseason Coaches' Poll, its highest ranking since joining the league. Grode and Premoli were named to the Preseason All-ASUN Team, and Grode was also named to the United Soccer Coaches Forwards to Watch List on Tuesday.
Scouting Toledo
Toledo opens the 2025 season under second-year head coach Mark Batman. Last year, the Rockets finished 6-7-5 overall and 3-4-4 in Mid-American Conference play.
The team is led by senior forward Kaema Amachree, one of six players to score a team-high two goals in 2024. She also led the Rockets with 23 shot attempts, including nine on goal.
History vs. Toledo
Thursday's game will be the first meeting between EKU and Toledo. The Colonels will look for their first win over a MAC opponent since 2023, when they defeated Eastern Michigan 2-1 at home.
