RICHMOND, Ky. – A Hillary Blake cross in the 32nd minute led to an own goal and the lone score of the game lifted Eastern Illinois women's soccer to a 1-0 win at Eastern Kentucky Friday afternoon that clinched an Ohio Valley Conference Tournament berth for the Panthers.

EIU (7-5-5, 3-1-2 OVC) will be participating in its conference-record 11th consecutive OVC Tournament next month. The Panthers are the only league team that has qualified for the annual postseason event every year it has been held.

Jenny Williams made seven saves in goal and posted her 16th career shutout, including her third against EKU (4-10-3, 1-3-3 OVC). EIU head coach Summer Perala said her senior goalkeeper made a number of key saves and was the biggest reason the Panthers won the game despite being out shot 15-3.

Blake's cross was grabbed by EKU goalkeeper Stephanie Lynch. She landed on her side as she returned to the ground, dislodging the ball from her grasp. The ball proceeded to roll into the net.

 

“Right now we're at a point in the season where a win is a win,” Perala said. “The team recognized that it didn't earn this one like it has some of the other wins this year. Hopefully, Sunday (at Morehead State) will be a good turnaround. We'll have to come out prepared to play.

 

“Jenny saved the game for us. She made four or five big-time saves on shots that definitely would have been goals. They were all over us at times and she kept us in it.”

 

Williams made second-half saves in the 67th, 70th, 80th and 88th minutes. She was forced to deflect shots out of bounds with the saves in the 70th and 88th minutes. However, those were the lone second-half corner kick opportunities that EIU surrendered.

 

Rachel Hamilton (two) and Ashley Streid accounted for the Panthers' three shots on goal. Lynch made those saves.

 

All 19 EIU field players saw action in the victory. Sam Balek and Blake were the only Panthers to go the distance besides Williams. Ashley Eck and Streid both logged 51 minutes off the bench to lead the reserves.

 

With the victory, EIU improved to 3-0 all-time in Richmond. All three victories have come in shutout fashion.

 

Despite it being an own goal on this day, the Panthers have still managed to score in each of their first six OVC games and eight of the last nine contests overall. The last positive own goal for the program was in a 2007 loss to Samford. A 2004 victory at Indiana State marked the last time an own goal proved to be the game-winner.

EIU returns to action Sunday at Morehead State. Kickoff is slated for noon (CDT).

More Info: Contact Ben Turner, Asst. SID