CHARLESTON, Ill. – The Eastern Kentucky University soccer team stayed in the thick of OVC Tournament contention with a convincing 3-0 road win over Eastern Illinois on Friday afternoon at Lakeside Field.
It is the second consecutive shutout for EKU (3-4-0 OVC). The surging Colonels blanked UT Martin, 2-0, at home last Sunday and have now surrendered only one goal in their last 272 minutes of play.
Senior Katie Bright got EKU on the board in the 40th minute when she converted a penalty kick for her first goal of the season.
The Colonels did not let up in the second half. In the 54th minute, junior Cassie Smith chipped in a cross from freshman Monica Rios for her second goal of the year. It was Rios’ first career assist.
EKU sealed the victory in the 78th minute when freshman Bailly Bounds headed in a cross from senior Merrissa Vault. It was Bounds’ second score and Vault’s first assist of the season.
The Colonels dominated the match in every aspect, outshooting the host Panthers, 16-5, while attempting nine corner kicks to the Panthers’ one.
Sophomore Logan Harvey paced EKU with three shots in the game, all three of which were on goal.
Sophomore Anna Hall and senior Samm Melton teamed up in goal to earn the clean sheet. Hall started the game and played 82 minutes, making one save. Melton played the final eight minutes in goal.
A total of 23 Colonels saw the field in the lopsided victory.
“We were fortunate today and caught a break or two,” head coach Andrew Fleming said. “At the same time, these girls all worked very hard and were focused in both the attacking third and defensive third of the field. That type of effort will be absolutely essential 48 hours from now.”
EKU will face SIUE – last year’s OVC Tournament champion – in another crucial conference game on Sunday. First touch from Edwardsville is set for 2:00 p.m. ET.
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