EIU Spring Schedule
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Highlighted by four scores from
Ashley Streid, seven different Panthers scored goals as Eastern Illinois women's soccer posted a 3-2 record and reached the semifinals of the annual Illinois Indoor 7-on-7 Tournament Saturday (Feb. 27).
Eastern received inspired goalkeeping play from
Kaylin Lorbert and
Jessica Taldone en route to posting each of its three victories in shutout fashion.
The Panthers defeated teams from Indiana State (4-0), Northern Illinois (3-0) and Saint Louis (3-0). The three wins helped EIU qualify for the four-team tournament playoffs. Eastern took the host Fighting Illini to double overtime but lost on a golden goal, 3-2, with 90 seconds remaining.
Streid scored twice against ISU and also found the back of the net versus NIU and Illinois. Her goal against the Illini put EIU in front 2-1 in the second half.
Jessica Blake and
Kristin Germann both scored twice during the day's action.
Ashley Eck tallied a goal and two assists;
Sam Balek and
Sarah Rusk both had a goal and an assist.
The 7-on-7 games featured two 40-minute halves. The Panthers' other loss was against Louisville in their third game of the day.
“Everyone played tons of minutes this weekend; with only 12 healthy players, we were bit short on numbers,” EIU head coach Summer Perala said. “But it was apparent that the girls really have put in the work so far this spring. Fitness wasn't much of an issue at all and we looked stronger on the ball. Technically you could tell it was the first event of the spring. Everyone was a bit rusty the first couple games, as far as remembering defensive and attacking concepts we worked on in the fall.
“Even though we lost the Louisville game, it was a great teaching experience for the team. It was a very fast game, forcing the players to think faster and sort out issues on their own. [Assistant coach] Grant [Williams] mentioned that they learned more from the loss than the two wins prior to the Louisville game. But it was a great weekend overall. I was Very happy with how the team performed and the outcomes of all the games.”
Game Highlights
Game 1: EIU 4, Indiana State 0
2nd half – 28:00,
Jessica Taldone comes up with a big save to preserve the shutout. Left hand, upper corner.
Game 2: EIU 3, Northern Illinois 0
1st half – 18:00,
Ashley Eck goal: takeaway, quick turn and shot into upper right corner of net.
2nd half – final minute,
Kaylin Lorbert extends for a diving save to preserve the shutout.
Game 3: Louisville 4, EIU 0
1st half – 13:20, Louisville scores off a driven shot outside the box, just under crossbar
1st half – 15:31, Louisville scores again into high corner.
2nd half –6:50, Louisville scores again
2nd half –17 minutes in, Louisville scores final goal
Game 4: EIU 3, Saint Louis 0
1st half –
Jessica Taldone makes nice 1-v-1 sliding save on player dribbling in
1st half –
Jessica Taldone makes a diving save on a shot from five-yards out
Game 5: Illinois 3, EIU 2 (2OT)
1st half – 16:11,
Dani Flynn goal, dribbles out of back down right sideline and scores from 18 yards out into left-upper side
1st half – 19:10, Illinois scores to tie the game
Before close of half,
Kaylin Lorbert makes extends to make a good finger tip save/grab
2nd half –
Jessica Taldone makes a save off a rebounded shot from Illinois that hits the crossbar, then a couple minutes later blocks a hard shot from close range
2nd half –
Ashley Streid, goal: steals ball from an Illinois defender, dribbles in and beats 'keeper 1-v-1
2nd half – Illinois scores to even up the game 2-2
2nd OT – Illinois scores with 1:30 remaining to win 3-2
