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CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – The final meeting between Eastern Illinois women's soccer and Samford as conference rivals did not disappoint, but the Bulldogs' scored the lone goal in a 1-0 game to eliminate the Panthers from the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament Friday evening.

 

While Samford advances to the Tournament championship match, EIU's season came to an end with an 8-11-1 record.

 

Cassie Applegate not only scored the game's lone goal, but was also in position to make a key team save to prevent a potential game-tying goal.

 

Applegate scored in the 63rd minute. Fifteen minutes later she headed away a blast from Alexis Miller that made it to the mouth of the goal after getting past the goalkeeper.

 

Eastern held Samford to just two shots on goal, while putting four of its 11 shots on goal.

 

“In the long history of great games between Samford and EIU, tonight's game will definitely go down as one the best,” EIU head coach Tim Nowak said. “It was a pleasure to watch these two teams go at it tonight. I could not be more proud of the heart and effort that we brought to today's game. From the opening whistle, we put forth a wonderful team effort and every player here today knows that they gave everything they had. 

 

“I thought we did a real good job in the first half of dictating play. We gave ourselves a couple of nice scoring chances and just fell short. In the second half, it was like watching two heavyweights going at it. Both teams were battling. We came real close to tying the game late, but Alexis' free kick was headed off the goal line.

 

“Pam [Melinauskas] was a huge spark off the bench today,” Nowak continued. “She gave us some outstanding minutes up top, but more importantly she gave us a big emotional lift. And I can't say enough about this group of seniors. They are a collection of outstanding young women.  It was a pleasure watching them compete tonight. We will definitely miss them.”

 

Melinauskas led the bench players with 38 minutes. Among the starters, Kathleen Hayes, Jenny Bock, AJ Brewer, Karisa Brenner, Ashley Slota and goalkeeper Jenny Williams each played all 90 minutes. The Panthers were without Caitlyn Eisenhauer, who was named to the OVC All-Newcomer Team Thursday but suffered a mild concussion late in the opening-round win at Murray State Tuesday. Hayes went the distance despite suffering a small tear in a knee ligament in that same game. And fellow senior Meghan Ryon did not let a sprained ankle stop her from playing in what proved to be her final game as a Panther.

 

Samford is departing the OVC for the Southern Conference prior to the beginning of the 2008 season. The two teams met in the OVC Tournament four times during Samford's five years in the conference. The two teams split those four tourney meetings.

The Panthers will have to say goodbye to six seniors but are slated to return five starters and 19 total letter-winners for the 2008 season.

More Info: Contact Ben Turner, Asst. SID