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CHARLESTON, Ill. - Jessica Blake directed a loose ball in front of the goal into the net for the lone score in a 1-0 Eastern Illinois win on Saturday afternoon at Lakeside Field over visiting Eastern Kentucky.

EIU improved to 5-8-3 on the season, 2-2-1 in the OVC with the win as they posted a 1-0-1 weekend mark against the conference's leading teams. EKU fell to 6-6-2, 3-2-0 in the OVC.

The team's played a scoreless first half in which the best scoring opportunity was by EKU's Tess Akgunduz at the 30-minute mark as EIU goalkeeper Kaylin Lorbert made a stop at the near post on a ball sent in from the top of the box.

The Panthers turned up the offensive pressure in the second half as EKU's Stephanie Lynch turned away an early EIU scoring chance by Ashley Stried in the opening four minutes. EIU was able to finally break through as Caitlin Greene sent a ball into the box that Lynch was unable to handle and Blake redirected it home for the score in the 63rd minute.

EKU had one more scoring chance as Carly Muller's ball from the top of the box hit the post in the 79th minute. Lorbert finished with four saves for her seventh shutout of the season. Lynch had five saves.

EIU outshot the Colonels by a 14-11 margin with seven shots on goal. The Panthers will return to action next Sunday at Tennessee Tech.