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Eastern Illinois Athletics wrapped up its 20th year as a member of the Ohio Valley Conference in May.  As a way to celebrate the many accomplishments, both team and individual during that time period, EIU conducted an online poll during the month of May for fans to help select the Top 20 athletes of the Panthers OVC Era.  During the month of June we will unveil the top 20 athletes as selected by the more than 2,500 fan votes submitted.  The original list of 40 athletes was comprised by a committee looking at a variety of criteria including Player of the Year, All-American selection and multiple time first-team All-OVC honors.  
 
#9 Beth Liesen (2000-03)
 
Liesen was a the most prolific goal scorer in the history of the Ohio Valley Conference helping lead the Panthers to three straight NCAA College Cup appearances as a member of the EIU women's soccer team.  Liesen was a four-time first team All-OVC selection beginning her career as the OVC Freshman of the Year and capping it with OVC Player of the Year honors in 2003.  Liesen set the EIU freshman record for goals with 15 in 2000 as EIU won the OVC regular season championship.  She ended her career with 62 career goals and 149 career points, both totals that are first on the EIU and OVC career lists.   During her senior season she scored a school and conference record 20 goals as EIU made the third of what would eventually become four straight NCAA Tournament trips.  She was a first team All-Region selection as a senior after previously earning second team and freshman team accolades.
 
Liesen was inducted into the EIU Athletic Hall of Fame in 2010 and currently works as an elementary education teacher in Crete-Monee, Ill.

EIU OVC Era Top 20 Countdown
#20 - Meleah Cutler (Volleyball / 1996-99)
#19 - Sean Lyons (Baseball / 1996-99)
#18 – Rick Kaye (Men's Basketball / 1995-98)
#17 – Jade Riebold (W Track / 2012-14)
#16 – Rachel Galligan (W Basketball / 2006-09)
#15 – Cara LeMaster (W Soccer / 1999-02)
#14 – Erica Gerth (Volleyball / 2001-04)
#13 – Kandace Arnold (W Track / 2007-10)
#12 – Reynae Hutchinson (Volleyball & Softball / 2010-14)
#11 – Erik Lora (Football / 2009-13)
#10 – Amber May (Softball / 2009-11)

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