Boxscore: PDF | HTML >>> Photo Gallery (by Sandy King)

CHARLESTON, Ill. – Michelle Steinhaus and Alexis Miller provided the offense and the Eastern Illinois women's soccer defense surrendered only two shots on goal en route to shutting out Austin Peay for the sixth straight year in a 2-0 win Sunday afternoon at Lakeside Field.

 

For the second game in a row, 24 of the 25 players on the EIU roster saw action. AJ Brewer was the lone Panther that didn't play Friday but made her season debut at Lakeside Field in this win. Backup goalkeeper Kaylin Lorbert was lone EIU player that did not take the field.

 

Jenny Williams stopped both APSU's shots on goal, registering her fourth shutout of the season and 11th career. She lowered her goals against average to 0.95 for the season and has not allowed a goal at home in the last 961 minutes of action. The Panthers (6-5-1, 3-1 OVC) have blanked their last five OVC opponents at home.

 

Steinhaus scored her 10th career game-winner, moving into second on the EIU all-time list, with an early goal. Her team-leading fifth score came in the fourth minute from the left flank, with the blast bouncing into the goal after initially hitting the post. It was the senior's 22 career goal, 11 of which have come in conference play.

 

Steinhaus has scored in the fourth minute twice this season, accounting for two of EIU's four goals scored in the first 10 minutes of a match in 2007.

 

“We've [scored early] quite a few times this year, but this time I think we stayed focused and played a full 90 minutes of soccer,” EIU head coach Tim Nowak said. “We take a lot of pride in defending well. I think we've just done it better as a team lately. That's what we needed to do. Congrats to our team for fixing that, now we need to maintain it.”

 

Caitlyn Eisenhauer recorded her first collegiate assist on the goal after setting up the score with a pass from the far sideline.

 

Miller finally added a much-desired insurance goal in the 75th minute when she scored with a corner kick. The sophomore's serve arced its way to the near post and the APSU (5-7, 0-3 OVC) goalkeeper failed to prevent it from going into the net.

 

Rachel Hamilton had a very active day, registering four shots, three of which hit the frame of the goal. She hit the crossbar twice and the left post with another blast.

 

While Williams was the lone Panther to play all 90 minutes Sunday, defenders Lindsey Wilkening (86), Meghan Ryon (82) and Ashley Slota (82) all went 80-plus. Karisa Brenner led the reserves with 47 minutes.

The Panthers return to action Friday for a 7 p.m. game at Southeast Missouri.

More Info: Contact Ben Turner, Asst. SID