The Eastern women’s soccer team outplayed both of their opponents over the weekend, but walked away with a 1-1 record on their two-game home stand.

The Panthers were hopeful that the home stand would propel them back over the .500 mark for the first time since the second weekend of the 2010 season.

Eastern head coach Summer Perala’s squad came out ready to play on Friday and beat first-time opponent Belmont 1-0 on sophomore midfielder Kristin Germann’s penalty kick in the 90th minute.

“We had start to finish intensity for the first time this season,” Perala said.

Germann said the win was a big one for the team.

“It’s good to be back in the win column after going two weeks without one,” Germann said.

On Sunday, the Panthers dominated Missouri-Kansas City, but were kept off the scoreboard and walked off the field disappointed knowing they had let a win slip away. “We have to focus and put multiple games together if we expect to contend,” senior goalkeeper Kaylin Lorbert said.

Offense tests goalkeepers

The Panthers offense may have delivered their most dominating performance of the season over the weekend, as far as possession and shots.

The Panthers fired 17 shots at Missouri-Kansas City goalkeeper Jami Finell and eight shots at Belmont Bruins goalkeeper Sari Lin.

The Panthers outshot their opponents 28-11 over the weekend, but found the back of the net just one time.

Scoring opportunities came in loads for the Panthers, but the opportunities did not translate into goals. The Panthers had a number of chances to pull away from the Missouri-Kansas City, but Finell made save after save to keep the Panthers off the scoreboard on Sunday.

Eastern sophomore forward Ashley Streid and freshman midfielder Lauren Hoppensteadt gave Finell her toughest challenge in the first half, as they both fired shots from the left flank that forced Finell to make fingertip saves to keep the game 0-0.

The Panthers challenged Finell in the second half, as senior forward Kaitlin Sullivan ripped a shot to the left corner in the 49th minute that forced Finell to make a kick save.

The Panthers had a lot of corner kicks attempting 11 compared to four by their opponents. The Panthers dominated both of their opponents in every statistical category, but turned in a 1-1 record for the weekend.

Panthers struggle to score

Scoring has been a problem for the Panthers this season, as they have failed to score a goal in four of their eight games in 2010.

Also, the Panthers have failed to score multiple goals in a game since their first game of the season against Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis.

Around the OVC

Following the fourth weekend of the season, the Panthers currently stand third in the Ohio Valley Conference with a record of 3-4-1.

The Austin Peay Governors are in first with a record of 6-2. The Governors have a three-game lead over Southeast Missouri State, who is in second.

The Panthers’ next game is Friday against Miami (Ohio) on the road. The game starts at 3 p.m. in Oxford, Ohio.

Jordan Pottorff can be reached at 581-7944 or jbpottorff@eiu.edu

Junior defender Sam Balek heads the ball during the game against Belmont Friday afternoon at Lakeside Field. (Audrey Sawyer

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