MACOMB, Ill. – Kristin Germann scored her team-leading third goal of the season but Eastern Illinois women's soccer had to settle for a 1-1 draw at Western Illinois after giving up a second-half own goal Sunday afternoon.

Germann scored in the 57th minute off an assist from Ashley Eck, putting the finishing touch on a left-to-right cross from the heart of the 18-yard box. It was her sixth career goal but first scored away from Charleston.

 

“It was really nice goal and really the entire build up to the score was nice,” EIU head coach Summer Perala said. “There were some great runs by Eck and Germann. Ashley played a nice ball into the box and Germann slotted it back past the 'keeper.”

Western (3-3-3) tied the game in 76th minute. Kayse Flostrand hit the crossbar after a WIU corner kick. When an EIU player tried to clear the free ball, her clearance deflected off the back of an EIU teammate and into the net.

 

“It was a case of a poor initial clearance where we couldn't get enough of a foot on it to get it out of the box,” Perala said. “The shot deflected off the crossbar, bounced on the field and the clearance attempt went off the back of one of our players and into the net.”

Eastern goalkeeper Kaylin Lorbert finished with five saves. Sam Balek and Hillary Blake went the distance among the EIU field players. Jessica Blake logged 74 minutes to the lead the reserves. Cassidi Dietz (65 minutes) and Lauren Hoppensteadt (63) also played more than half the game after coming off the bench.

 

The Panthers (3-5-2) managed to put five of their 10 shots on goal. Ashley Streid accounted for the only shot on goal for either team in overtime. Western attempted 19 shots, but put just five on goal. The Leathernecks also had a 5-3 edge in corner kicks.

Four of EIU's first 10 games this season have gone to overtime. Eastern remained winless in Macomb since 2004 but managed to score its first goal at John MacKenzie Alumni Field since that 2004 victory. Eastern and Western have now played to a draw in two of the last three seasons after there were no ties in the first 11 all-time meetings.

 

While unable to snap their now eight-game (0-6-2) winless streak away from Charleston dating back to last season, Perala did say the Panthers “did some nice things today to build up towards our opening weekend of conference play.” Eastern is currently in the midst of a six-game road stretch and opens Ohio Valley Conference play next weekend with games at Austin Peay and Jacksonville State.

Kickoff Friday night at Austin Peay is slated for 7 p.m.