LEXINGTON, Ky. – Behind season-best performances from sophomore forward Ella Grode and freshman goalkeeper Jordan LeVasseur, the Eastern Kentucky University women's soccer team defeated Toledo, 3-1, in Thursday's season opener at Lexington Sporting Club.
 
Grode scored twice, tying the EKU single-game goals record for the 20th time in program history. LeVasseur made 11 saves, the most by a Colonel goalkeeper since 2021.
 
The win marked EKU's (1-0) first season-opening victory since 2021 and gave the Colonels three early points in the Atlantic Sun Conference standings. Grode and Maddy Murphy provided the offense, with Murphy scoring the game-winner in the 51st minute.
 
Grode opened the scoring in the 24th minute, slipping a right-footed shot past Toledo's keeper after receiving a through ball from Murphy.
 
Murphy doubled the lead six minutes into the second half, breaking free on the right side and scoring unassisted for her third point of the day. The goal was assisted by sophomore Peyton Smith, the fourth of her career.
 
Toledo (0-1) cut the deficit to 2-1 in the 69th minute when Keeley Clinton converted a pass from Molly Kennedy.
 
Grode struck again 10 minutes later, finishing a pass from Preseason All-ASUN midfielder Chiara Premoli into an open box. The assist was the eighth of Premoli's career.
 
Toledo outshot EKU 18-11 overall and 12-6 on goal. The match featured 15 fouls and two yellow cards. EKU held 46 percent of the possession, spending 28 percent of that time in the attacking third.
 
Seventeen Colonels saw action, including seven making their collegiate debuts. Sophomore midfielder Avery May logged 67 minutes with one shot, while junior defender Juliet Strange played 70 minutes on the back line.
 
EKU will travel to Tennessee on Sunday to face the Volunteers at Regal Soccer Stadium. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. ET, with the game streaming on SEC Network+ with Andy Brock and Erin Gilroy on the call.