SIUE scored midway through the first half as the Cougars handed Eastern Illinois a loss in the Ohio Valley Conference opener for both teams. SIUE won the conference opener 4-2 on Sunday afternoon in Edwardsville.
EIU fell to 2-5-3 overall, 0-1 in the OVC. SIUE moved 3-3-3 on the season, 1-0 in the OVC.
The Cougars took the 1-0 lead in the 29th minute on a penalty kick converted by Claire Nieroda.
SIUE would lead 2-0 at the half with a goal in the 32nd minute by Imogene Joseph.
The Cougars extended the lead to 3-0 just minutes into the second half before Eastern Illinois was able to get on the board with an
Abby Reinl goal.
MaryClaire Imig scored SIUE's third goal in the 48th minute.
Reinl put the Panthers on the board just over a minute later in the 49th minute. It was the 19th career goal for Reinl, who ranks tenth on the EIU career goals scored list.
Ella Dwyer picked up the assist on the goal.
SIUE tacked on an insurance goal by Nieroda in the 61st minute to go up 4-1.
Freshman
Amara Leppla scored her second goal in as many matches for the final tally of the contest. Leppla found the net in the 81st minute on an assist from
Amelia Mundo.
Reinl led EIU's offensive attack with three total shots. Leppla and Dwyer each had two shots in the match for the Panthers.
