Charleston, Ill. - Eastern Illinois women's soccer picked up its first win of the season as the Panthers hosted UIS on Sunday afternoon. With the win, EIU improved to a 1-1 record on the season.
 
EIU opened the match strongly on the attack as Alex Tetteh scored in the 3rd minute to put EIU up 1-0. The Prairie Stars did not take long to find the goal that equalized the match. In the 8th minute, Madison Grandys found the back of EIU's net to put UIS back in the game.
 
The game then settled down with both teams fighting hard for the ball. In the 36th minute, Abby Reinl found Katiebeth May near the eighteen yard box. May used her right foot to finish the play that would put the Panthers back in the lead 2-1.
 
Seven minutes later, Reinl and May switched roles. On a diagonal pass into the box, May found Reinl, the freshman forward who did not hesitate to finish and score her second goal of the season. EIU led 3-1 at halftime.
 
In a scoreless second half, goalkeeper Ashlyn Hoover made three saves to help EIU secure the win.
 
The match marked the second time in history that both schools met. In 2021, the Panthers beat the Prairie Stars 3-0.
 
EIU will now have four days to prepare for its next match. On Thursday, Aug. 20 the Panthers will travel to Dekalb, Ill. to face Northern Illinois University. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.