LEXINGTON, Ky. – Sophomore forward Ella Grode recorded her second brace of the season to lead the Eastern Kentucky University women's soccer team to a 2-1 comeback victory over Northern Kentucky on Thursday afternoon at Lexington Sporting Club.
 
With the win, EKU (5-1-1) inches closer to closing the non-conference portion of its schedule with an undefeated record against mid-major opposition. The Colonels extended their home winning streak to nine straight, continuing the fifth-longest active streak in the country.
 
Grode's two second-half goals secured EKU's second consecutive win over the Norse. Her performance marks the 22nd brace in program history and the third recorded by a Colonel this season.
 
With five goals and 12 points through seven games, Grode now leads the Atlantic Sun Conference in both statistical categories.
 
NKU (3-1-4) opened the scoring effort in the ninth minute when forward Erykah Cornett's curling effort slipped inside the far post to give the visitors a 1-0 advantage. The Norse carried that lead into halftime while controlling the entirety of the first 45 minutes of action.
 
Following the break, the Colonels shifted formation and dictated play, out-shooting NKU, 14-8, in the second half and earning all four corner kicks after the interval.
 
The equalizer came in the 55th minute when senior midfielder Maddy Murphy drove down the right side and sent a low cross into the box. Grode met the ball with her right foot and buried it into the back of the net.
 
The assist continued Murphy's strong run against NKU, as she has tallied five points, consisting of two goals and one assist, in the teams' last two meetings. In Thursday's win, she led the team with five shots.
 
EKU found the go-ahead goal in the 78th minute. After a deflected shot ricocheted off the woodwork, Grode rose above the defense and headed the rebound into the net to put the Colonels in front, 2-1.
 
NKU pressed for an equalizer in the closing minutes, launching four shots in the stretch, including two on frame. Goalkeeper Jordan LeVasseur stood tall, collecting four saves overall to earn her third collegiate victory in a complete-match effort.
 
Other notable performances include senior defender Sydney Taylor, who attempted three shots going the full 90-minute distance on the backline. Freshman forward Rachel Phifer also had two shots in the win.
 
EKU finished with the edge in shots (18-13), corner kicks (6-2) and possession (55-45) despite being down in all three categories after the first half.
 
The Colonels will close out non-conference play on Sunday hosting Duquesne for the first time in program history. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET back at Lexington Sporting Club.