RICHMOND, Kentucky. – The Eastern Kentucky University soccer team lost the 17th edition of the Bluegrass Cup to rival Morehead State 2-1 on Thursday night at the EKU Soccer Field.

Freshman striker Ana Manning scored her first collegiate goal just four minutes into Thursday’s game. The Cincinnati, Ohio native was the Colonels’ best player with five shots against the Eagles, three of which were on goal.

In addition to Manning, the experienced midfielder Diego Nereawho took two shots in the loss. EKU had a 20-9 shot percentage against Morehead State, including 8-3 shots on goal.

First semester Ruby Morgan She suffered the loss in goal after playing the full 90 minutes and making a personal best six saves. Thursday’s game was her first collegiate start and her second appearance in three games this year.

EKU struck early, taking a 1-0 lead just four minutes into the game when Manning took advantage of a weakness in the Eagles’ defense and fired the ball into the bottom left corner of the net from just outside the 12-yard line.

Despite the Colonels’ attacking formation, Morehead State (1-1-1) equalized in the 18th minute when Kennedy Baquero caught a pass from Erin Fite about halfway inside the 18-yard line and fired the ball with her right shoe just over Morgan’s gloves into the top of the goal crease.

EKU and MSU were neck and neck when the halftime whistle blew and the scoreboard showed a 1-1 score. The Eagles led EKU 7-4 in the first half.

Just 10 minutes after halftime, Morehead’s Hannah Burke sent a cross into the box that bounced off the crossbar and found the right foot of red-hot Carlie Thurmond, giving the Eagles a 2-1 lead over EKU. Thursday’s goal was Thurmond’s second of the young season.

As the fight continued, EKU suffered another setback in the 63rd minute when the young striker Ella Grode received a red card for a serious foul, meaning the Colonels were down to ten players for the final 27 minutes of the game.

In the second half, the Eagles scored more goals than EKU (13:5) and attempted three more corner kicks than the Colonels, so the game ended with a 2:1 score.

EKU returns to action on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. EST against Southern Indiana at EKU Soccer Field. Admission to the field is free, and those unable to attend the game can watch it live on ESPN+.