Box Score RICHMOND, Ky. – The Jacksonville State soccer team suffered its first Ohio Valley Conference match of the season after dropping a hard-fought 2-1 decision to Eastern Kentucky on Friday afternoon.

With the setback, JSU drops to 10-3-1 overall and 3-1 in the OVC.  The Colonels improved to 2-0-1 against OVC and their sixth win overall.  The loss was also Jax State's first away from Jacksonville this season as it entered the weekend road trip 7-0 in road matches.

After a scoreless first half, EKU put the first goal on the scoreboard shortly after the intermission break in the 48th minute.  The Colonels took advantage of a Gamecock mishap that led to an own goal to take the lead at 1-0. 

JSU scored the equalizing goal in the 72nd minute off the foot of sophomore Courtney Hurt.  Hurt took a rebounded off the crossbar to send the ball in the back of the net.  The assist on her goal went to Kelsey Bright, who turned in her third assist of the season.  Hurt's goal was the sixth of the season for the Huntsville, Ala.-native.

EKU's Nikki Donnelly broke the 1-1 deadlock with a free kick goal inside the 18-yard box with just under ten minutes left in the contest. 

The Colonels were credited with 18 shots with just eight of those coming on goal.  JSU finished with nine total goals and tallied six of those shots in the final 45 minutes.

“I thought our team played hard and well together,” said head coach Julie Davis Carlson.  “Eastern Kentucky is fast, quick and takes advantages of other teams mistakes.  When you keep a team in the game long enough, it can go either way.  We should have put them away early but in order to do that, you have to be dangerous.”

The Gamecocks will look to regroup on Sunday as they make the trip to Morehead, Ky. on Sunday to face the Eagles of Morehead State.  Match time is set for 12 p.m. CST and will be available via live stats and the OVC Digital Network.