The Eastern women’s soccer team was faced with a situation that forced it to notch at least one win and a tie to secure a spot in the Ohio Valley Conference tournament this weekend.

With Friday’s win and Sunday’s draw the Panthers will be making their 12th consecutive trip to the OVC tournament. The Panthers have now played in five consecutive matches without suffering a loss. The Panthers are 2-0-3 in the last five games.

The Panthers and Tennessee-Martin matched up on Friday, and the Panthers came away with the 1-0 victory.

The Panthers capitalized on a quick scoring opportunity in the second minute when Kristin Germann tallied her fifth goal of the season.

The early deficit was too much for the Skyhawks to overcome, and Germann’s goal proved to be the game-winning goal for the Panthers.

The Panthers managed to outshoot the Skyhawks 8-5 on their way to the 1-0 victory.

The Panthers strong performance against the Skyhawks gave them the momentum heading into Senior Day on Sunday afternoon against Murray State.

Panthers get draw in finale

The Panthers battled against Murray State in the finale of the regular season. Needing to post at least a tie to secure a tournament bid the Panthers came out ready to prove that they belong in the OVC tournament.

The Panthers and the Racers played to a double overtime draw on Sunday afternoon that secured a spot in the tournament for the Panthers.

The Racers did manage to test senior goalkeeper Kaylin Lorbert in the second overtime when Racer forward Janell Cunningham fired a shot that nearly ended the Panthers’ season.

The Panthers and the Racers matched each other in nearly every facet of the game as both teams fired 11 shots and were separated by one corner kick as the Panthers attempted five corner kicks compared to the Racers’ four.

Tournament field decided

Following the final weekend of the regular season the Ohio Valley Conference tournament field was decided.

The Morehead State Eagles earned the top seed, a first round bye, and will host the three-day tournament.

Southeast Missouri earned the two-seed and will also receive a first round bye. Austin Peay, Eastern, Eastern Kentucky and Murray State round out the rest of the teams.

The Panthers will be back in action on Thursday, Nov. 4, as they will face EKU in the first game of the OVC tournament.

“As long as we play like we have the last few games we will be fine,” head coach Summer Perala said.

Lorbert said the team will take its late season momentum into the tournament.

“We are taking in momentum and all our attacking opportunities to get the win,” Lorbert said.

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

Kristin Germann a sophomore midfielder kicks the ball upfield as her opponent trys to block the kick during the game against Murray State Sunday afternoon at Lakeside Field. (Audrey Sawyer

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