RICHMOND, Ky. - An explosive five-goal second half propelled the Eastern Kentucky University soccer team to its first victory of the 2026 season in Sunday's home opener vs Cleveland State.
The five-goal second half marked the highest-scoring half in program history, with five different Colonels finding the back of the net.
The Colonels outburst featured goals from
Chiara Premoli,
Hinami Ogushi,
Lauren Link,
Emma Wolf and
Avery May. Premoli and Ogushi each netted the first goal of their collegiate careers.
Sophomore
Robin Reilly recorded the first two assists of her collegiate career to lead the Colonels on the day.
Peyton Smith, Ogushi and freshman
Calista Everson also contributed an assist in the victory.
Junior
Ruby Morgan made the start in goal, recording two saves to secure the shutout against the Vikings.
Fourteen Colonels saw action, with freshman
Chloe Measel making her collegiate debut as a substitute and logging 22 minutes.
With the win, EKU improved to 1-1 on the season and extended its home unbeaten streak to 16 matches.
The match began as a stalemate, with both sides entering halftime scoreless. EKU recorded five shots in the opening half, with one on goal.
The Colonels completely flipped the script in the second half, as Premoli opened the scoring with a penalty kick in the 46th minute.
In the 55th minute, EKU extended its lead to 2-0 when Ogushi headed home a free kick delivered by Everson.
Four minutes later, Link fired a shot from inside the box into the bottom-right corner off an assist from Smith, extending EKU's lead to 3-0.
Wolf found the back of the net in the 63rd minute off assists from Ogushi and Reilly, giving the Colonels their fourth goal in a 17-minute span.
May capped off the scoring in the 80th minute off an assist from Reilly, sealing EKU's 5-0 victory over Cleveland State.
In the second half, EKU turned up the pressure by firing nine shots. The Colonels finished the match with a 14-8 advantage in total shots
The Colonels return to action on Sunday, Aug. 23, when they travel to Ohio to face Youngstown State at noon EST. The match will stream live on ESPN+, with live stats available.
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