RICHMOND, Ky. – It was Senior Day at EKU Soccer Field, but it was a sophomore – Emmi Carroll – who played the role of hero in the Eastern Kentucky University soccer team’s 2-0 win over UT Martin on Sunday afternoon.
Carroll scored two second-half goals to propel the Colonels to the victory. The win improved EKU to 2-4-0 in OVC play.
The game was scoreless through 75 minutes until Carroll came off the bench and headed in a goal at close range off an assist from freshman Bailly Bounds.
Carroll struck again in the 86th minute, scoring an insurance goal off an assist from fellow sophomore Logan Harvey. It was Carroll’s team-leading third score of the year.
Senior goalkeeper Samm Melton, making her first start since September 13, also came up big in the win, making six saves to earn the clean sheet.
“Our girls did an outstanding job today of understanding their individual roles, but also putting together a complete team effort,” head coach Andrew Fleming said. “We were obviously very good defensively against a team that is traditionally as good as anyone in our conference. I’m especially happy for the six seniors who showed tremendous perseverance and character throughout the year.”
It was EKU’s first win over UT Martin (4-9-0, 2-3-0 OVC) since October 7, 2011, the year before this year’s senior class arrived in Richmond.
EKU outshot UTM, 13-11, on the day. Harvey and sophomore Jordan Foster paced the Colonels with three shots apiece.
Seniors Dani Cant and Amani Thomas and freshman Kacy Eckley played all 90 minutes on the backline to help the Colonels earn their second shutout of the conference season.
The six seniors honored before Sunday’s game were Cant, Melton, Thomas, Katie Bright, Mikala Ferguson and Merrissa Vault. All six started and played key roles in the win.
EKU returns to action on Friday, October 16, at Eastern Illinois. First touch is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. ET.
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