NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Eastern Kentucky University women's soccer team will travel to Belmont University on Thursday night looking to extend its three-match winning streak against non-conference opponents.
Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET at E.S. Rose Park, just outside downtown Nashville. The match will stream live on ESPN+.
EKU (4-1) enters the week ranked No. 6 in the United Soccer Coaches South Region poll, the highest regional ranking in program history. The Colonels have won their last three matches, defeating South Carolina Upstate (2-1), East Tennessee State (2-0) and Morehead State (5-1).
Through five matches, EKU has scored 12 goals, averaging 2.40 per contest. That ranks third in the Atlantic Sun Conference and 44th nationally. The Colonels also rank inside the NCAA's top 50 in assists per game, points per game, saves per game, scoring offense, total assists, total goals, total points, and win-loss percentage.
Sophomore forward
Ella Grode leads the team with three goals. Junior midfielder
Chiara Premoli has assisted on half of EKU's goals and ranks third nationally in both assists per game (1.20) and total assists (6). In last week's win over Morehead State, the Italian tied the program's career assists record with 14.
Against Morehead, EKU scored five times on the road. Senior defender
Sydney Taylor recorded a brace, becoming the 21st player in program history to do so. Grode,
Emma Spivey and
Emma Wolf also added goals. Head coach
Matt Cosinuke became the program's all-time wins leader with 47 victories across his seven seasons at EKU.
The Colonels enter Thursday's match leading the Atlantic Sun Conference tables with 12 points. However, EKU trails in the standings only to Bellarmine (3-0-1) who is currently unbeaten.
Scouting Belmont
A former Ohio Valley Conference foe, Belmont (2-1-1) is coming off a scoreless draw at Lindenwood last weekend. The Bruins have earned points in three straight matches, with wins over Southeast Missouri (1-0) on Aug. 17 and at Coastal Carolina (1-0) on Aug. 24.
Sophomore forward Kaitlyn Elliott leads Belmont with two goals and six shot attempts. In net, goalkeepers Greta Genie and Sydney Jones have combined for three consecutive shutouts and 14 saves this season.
History vs. Belmont
Thursday marks the 11th meeting between EKU and Belmont since 2012. The Colonels lead the all-time series 4-2-4 and are unbeaten in Nashville with a 2-0-2 record. EKU has won four of the last six meetings and is unbeaten in five of the last six starts.
