CHARLESTON, Ill. – The game's first corner kick opportunity didn't come until the 71st minute but Eastern Michigan capitalized on it, scoring the lone goal of the day en route to defeating Eastern Illinois women's soccer, 1-0, Sunday afternoon at Lakeside Field.

Stephanie Pilarski placed the ball perfectly in the top right 90 of the net after Julie Maheu flicked a Stephanie Janssens corner kick. It was Pilarski's first goal of the season.

The Panthers (2-2) were shutout at home for the first time since September 2008, ending their streak of 14 consecutive games with a goal at Lakeside Field. The Eagles (2-0-1) also ended EIU's home unbeaten streak at nine (6-0-3) games. Eastern Michigan has won five consecutive games in Charleston and shutout EIU for the third year in a row.

The Panthers had three quality scoring chances early in the second half but were unable to capitalize. EIU enjoyed a 14-11 edge in shots, putting eight on goal. EMU goalkeeper Monique Budani made seven saves and defender Amanda Marsh cleared a shot by Kristin Germann off the goal line in the 49th minute.

 

“Today people were confused on placement on set pieces, where we need to be specifically,” EIU head coach Summer Perala said. “It's frustrating that we gave this game away. We had it. There's no sense of urgency when we're down. There's no one stepping up and lighting that fire to get people back to playing hard. This week is just going to be working on quicker play, better technical abilities and all around hard-nosed play.”

Kaylin Lorbert made five saves in goal for the Panthers but had to leave the game in the 84th minute after suffering the worst of a three-player collision. Jessica Taldone finished out the contest. Lorbert made a pair of nice saves in the first half to keep the game scoreless.

Sam Balek and Hillary Blake went the distance among the EIU field players. Lauren Hoppensteadt logged 63 minutes to lead the reserves and put all three of her shots on goal.

 

The Panthers were very active in the first 10 minutes of the second half. Only a minute and a half into the second half, Kaitlin Sullivan missed high with a point blank shot after a left-to-right cross by Ashley Streid. Marsh made her team save with her head about two minutes later after Germann had lofted a shot over Budani's head that was bound for the left side of the net.

 

In the 53rd minute, Streid stole the ball from an EMU player near midfield and advanced it into the 18-yard box. But a defender eventually caught up with Streid to prevent a true breakaway. Streid got a shot off on the left side of the 18-yard box but Budani was able to snare the ball with a dive to her left.

 

Both EIU corner kick opportunities came in the final 11 minutes after the Eagles had taken the lead. Sullivan got her head on the first of the two corners but the ball sailed wide right.

 

Lorbert made her two finest saves in the 24th and 30th minutes. She made a nice one-v-one save on a shot by Paige Sheridan from the left flank and snared a one-touch shot by Chelsea Detrick above her head.

The Panthers lost both games this weekend in 1-0 fashion.

EIU returns to action Friday for a 7 p.m. road game at Green Bay.