Eastern Illinois University Athletics

2008: First Team All-OVC… Melinauskas started all 19 games, one of two Panthers to do so… kept the program’s streak of having at least one First Team All-OVC performer every year postseason honors have been awarded… led the team with three goals, scoring EIU’s first goal in conference games against Eastern Kentucky, Morehead State and Southeast Missouri… scored the game-winner in the 1-0 victory against Morehead… assisted on Sam Kohen’s game-winning goal against SEMO, posting her second career goal-and-assist effort in the must-win game… ranked fifth on the team in minutes (1,473), averaging 77 per game… logged over 80 minutes on eight occasions… played a season-high 101 minutes in the scoreless draw at Austin Peay… Eastern was 6-1 when she scored during her career…

 

2007: Melinauskas played in 19 games and started the must-win contest against Jacksonville State… scored the game-tying goal with 5:18 remaining in regulation in the OVC Tournament win at Murray State… also scored EIU’s third goal in the win against Tennessee Tech… assisted on Kellie Floyd’s second goal in the home-opening win against Indiana State… played a season-high 51 minutes in the JSU win… was playing her best as the season wound down, averaging 42 minutes per game over the final five matches of the year… registered a pair of shots in a game six times... each of her four career goals have come against OVC foes…

 

2006: OVC Commissioner’s Honor Roll... OVC Player of the Week (Oct. 17)… after an injury sidelined her during the non-conference season, she played in 10 games and started the final eight contests of the year… earned OVC Player of the Week honors after scoring her first goal, the game-winner, and assisting on EIU’s other two goals in the win over Eastern Kentucky… netted the second of the two goals at Jacksonville State scored a school-record 19 seconds apart… after joining the starting lineup, tallied a shot in seven straight games… one of two Panthers to record a multi-assist game.

 

2005: Played in 10 games and started five straight contests during non-conference play… tallied three shots, two coming against Western Illinois.

 

HIGH SCHOOL: She was a three-year letter-winner and starter for coach Brian Ball... 2005 team captain… 2004 all-conference, all-area and all-sectional… her 2003 team qualified for the Elite 8 of the IHSA state playoffs… three-time regional champion… completed 127 community service hours when only two dozen were required by Sandburg High School students… her Windy City Pride club team won 11 tournament champions from 2002-04, including tourneys in Phoenix, Milwaukee, San Antonio and Raleigh… finished fourth nationally in 2002… two-time State Cup champs… also recently played for the FCT 23 club team.

PERSONAL: No. 1 sports highlight was winning regionals and participating in 2002 National Soccer Championships in Maryland… her sisters Kim, Melissa and Patty have been a major influence on her sports career because “they have shown me through their accomplishments in their sports how to reach my potential as an athlete”… Kim recently completed her volleyball career at Wheeling Jesuit University (of West Virginia), Melissa played soccer at St. Joseph’s College (of Indiana) and Patty closed out her volleyball career at Western Illinois in the fall of ‘06… enjoys cooking and sewing… daughter of Bob and Nancy Melinauskas… MAJOR: Family and Consumer Sciences with Teacher’s Certification.