[Box Score]

CHARLESTON, Ill. - Eastern Illinois women's soccer close out their four game homestand with a 3-0 loss to conference foes Eastern Kentucky. The loss drops the Panthers to 3-11-2 on the season and 1-5-1 in conference play while Eastern Kentucky improves to 3-12 overall and 3-4 in the OVC.

Goalkeeper Maddie Lyon tallied nine saves in the match. This marked the highest save total for Lyon in conference play and the third time this season she has made nine saves with similar performances against IUPUI and Bowling Green. 

It was a very evenly played match for the majority of the first period until Lyon came off of her line and collided with an Eastern Kentucky player earning the Colonels a penalty kick in the 40th minute. Katie Bright would step up to the penalty spot for EKU and slip one past Lyon to give Eastern Kentucky a 1-0 lead at the end of the first period.

The Colonels started the second half on the offensive as Cassie Smith scored off of a cross sent into the penalty box to put Eastern Kentucky up 2-0 in the 54th minute. EKU would add one more as Bailey Bounds headed in a cross to extend Eastern Kentucky's lead to 3-0 in the 78th minute.  

Madi Fisher led the Panthers with a season high two shots. Kate Olson, Kayla Stolfa, and Molly Hawkins all had one shot in the match.

Eastern Illinois now heads on the road as they travel to Clarksville to continue conference play against Austin Peay next Friday [Oct. 23] at 7 p.m.