CHARLESTON, Ill. – Kristin Germann created a penalty kick opportunity in the 95th minute and scored the game-winning golden goal moments later, lifting Eastern Illinois women's soccer to a 1-0 overtime victory against Evansville Sunday afternoon at Lakeside Field.

The Panthers (2-0) won both games of their season-opening weekend homestand in shutout fashion, jumping out to a 2-0 start for the first time since 2001. Eastern scored in its 14th consecutive regular-season game at Lakeside Field and has now posted back-to-back shutouts against nonconference opponents for the first time since 2002.

Germann scored her first goal of the season and fourth career after she was knocked off her feet by an UE defender on a run through the heart of the 18-yard box just before the midpoint of the first overtime period. She stepped up and buried the penalty kick with a rising blast inside the right post. It was her game-high fourth shot attempt of the game, all of which were on goal.

“Usually the one who is most composed on the ball and is one of our best finishers,” said EIU coach Summer Perala, referring to the selection process of who takes a penalty kick. “[Germann] has shown she's cool under pressure. Since she took the hit, normally you don't want those folks to do it, but she stepped up and finished it.”

 

Kaylin Lorbert made three saves and earned her seventh career shutout. Sam Balek, Hillary Blake and Erika Prazma all went the distance on the backline for the Panthers. Kayla Doran logged 50 minutes to lead the EIU reserves.

 

The Panthers controlled the flow of the game for the most part, enjoying a 14-4 edge in shots and 13-3 advantage in corner kicks. Eastern did not give up a corner kick chance in the first half for the second game in a row.

“They were excited to open in such a strong fashion,” Perala said. “The key now is to finish more of our chances and put the final touches on, not have games come down to overtimes. It comes down to a little bit of fitness. The second game of a weekend takes its toll. It's being smarter on the ball and really moving as efficiently as possible. We're still trying to learn those little details. Around the goal, it's being urgent but not frantic.”

 

Early in overtime, Evansville (0-2) goalkeeper Chaviel Harrison extended the game with an impressive save on a rising shot from Ashley Streid. The shot was attempted from a hard angle right of the goal and Harrison was able to get her fingers on the ball and deflect it over the top of the crossbar.

 

Streid also hit the crossbar in the 32nd minute after advancing the ball up the right flank and endline in similar fashion.

 

Germann got off two well-struck blasts from the top of the 18-yard box early in the second half. Harrison bobbled the shot attempts but was able to keep the ball out of the back of the net on both occasions.

 

Evansville's most active stretch on the attack came in the final five minutes of regulation. The Purple Aces created a corner kick chance after Kristen Davis missed wide right in the 88th minute. In the final minute of regulation, Lorbert had to make a save on a shot by Stephanie Thompson.

Germann joins Kaitlin Sullivan as active Panthers to score overtime game-winners. She also became the first EIU player since Trisha Walter in 2004 whose penalty kick score was the difference in a 1-0 win.

Eastern returns to action Friday for a 7 p.m. road game at Valparaiso.