CHARLESTON, Ill. -- For the second consecutive game, Eastern Illinois women's soccer tied its league opponent midway through the first half, but still fell by a 3-1 score.  This time the Friday afternoon loss came against league foe Belmont.

Due to recent heavy rain in the area, the contest was relocated to the nearby EIU practice fields while both squads battled a steady gusty wind, chilly temperatures and late-game heavy precipitation.

With the loss, the Panthers drop to 1-10-1 overall and 0-3 in OVC action, while Belmont improved to 4-3-4 on the year and 1-0-2 in league play.

Belmont freshman Tara Austin got the Bruins on the board first at the 24-minute mark as she was fed the ball by junior Cassie Blase in front of the goal for the score.

Panther senior Meagan Radloff knotted the game just prior to the half, as she drilled an unassisted shot over heads of the Belmont defenders from nearly 40 feet away, earning an assist from the gusting wind.

Less than a minute into the second frame, however, the visitors retook the lead off a Panther own goal, while Austin found the back of the net yet again for a security goal for Belmont at the 56th minute.

EIU junior Hannah Miller led all Panthers with three shots, while Belmont senior Allie Hicks paced her squad with four shots on the day.

Team-wise, Belmont out-shot the Panthers, 17-to-12, which included a 10-to-six advantage for shots-on-goal.  EIU finished with two more corner kicks then the Bruins (six-to-four), and also led, seven-to-five, in total saves.

EIU is set to entertain Austin Peay at 1 p.m. on Sunday (Oct. 5), with the matchup location yet to be decided based on the condition of Lakeside Field.