CLEVELAND – Ashley Eck and Alexis Miller scored eight minutes apart in the final 12 minutes of the game as Eastern Illinois women's soccer rallied for a 2-1 victory at Cleveland State Sunday afternoon.

The Panthers improved to 2-1 this season and spoiled the Vikings' (1-2) home opener.

 

Miller assisted on Eck's second career goal in the 79th minute and scored the game-winner with four minutes and 21 seconds remaining in regulation. Her seventh goal as a Panther doubled as her second career game-winner.

Jessie Morgan setup Miller's score, recording her second assist of the young season.

 

Morgan and Miller teamed up for the game-winner in the 86th minute. Miller finished off the scoring opportunity with a shot from point blank range on the right side of the net.

 

Miller, who along with Elise Farrelly was the only EIU players to see action off the bench, returned to the game for the first time in the second half in the 68th minute. She had a shot on goal six minutes later and then setup Eck's goal, which was scored from the right side of the field from 15 yards out.

 

“It was a huge step for the program to not only comeback and tie the game, but then to score again and win it as well,” EIU head coach Summer Perala said. “Jessie made a nice pass to setup Alexis, splitting two defenders. We need to create more chances overall, but the ones we did have today were really good. After scoring late it's all about game management and the players know we don't need to rush. The goal is to keep possession and ride out the clock.”

The Panthers were only credited with four shots, putting three on goal. Goalkeeper Kaylin Lorbert made five saves and gave up the lone CSU goal in 57th minute. Marley Greiner was the Vikings' goal scorer, giving her team the lead with a shot from 10 yards out on the right side.

 

Among the EIU field players, Sam Balek, Hillary Blake, Kayla Doran, Danielle Flynn and Kristin Germann all went the distance. Balek and Blake have yet to leave the field so far this season, extending their consecutive minutes played streaks from the end of the 2008 campaign.

 

With her 12th career assist, Miller moved into 10th place on the EIU all-time list. The goal was her first since the overtime game-winner she scored on a corner kick in the 2007 Ohio Valley Conference Tournament win at Murray State. That game marked the last time the team rallied for a victory with two late goals.

 

With two wins during their season-opening, three-game road stretch, the Panthers have already bested last year's total of road wins.

Eastern returns to action Friday for its home opener against Indiana State. Kickoff is slated for 5 p.m. The Panthers are scheduled to play six of their nine September games at Lakeside Field.

More Info: Contact Ben Turner, Asst. SID