Two matches into the 2012 season and the Eastern women’s soccer team finds itself at 0-2 after losing to Iowa and Purdue over the weekend.

The Panthers were shutout in the season opener against Iowa, losing 5-0; then against Purdue, Eastern came up short, losing 2-1 in double overtime.

The team will hope to bounce back this weekend at home, taking on Northern Iowa at 3 p.m. Friday, and then facing Cleveland State on Sunday at 1 p.m.

Taldone faces a flurry of shots

Red-shirt senior Jessica Taldone has faced a total of 50 shots in just two matches, posting a 3.555 goals against average.

She has made 19 total saves this season, while giving up seven goals so far this season.

Head coach Summer Perala spoke highly of Taldone, calling her a player that the team needs to be a leader in 2012.

“She is a player who is a gamer and she will come in and just light it up in the games and make all the big time saves in games,” Perala said. “She’s someone we look to come in and lead the team in that aspect.”

Team bounces back from Iowa loss

After the loss to Iowa, Perala said she told the team it should be pleased with the steps taken to improve after the team’s 9-0 preseason loss to Kansas.

“If we continue to come out hard in the first minute of the game, it’ll be a more competitive match for us,” Perala said.

Around the OVC

A number of other Ohio Valley Conference teams were also in action over the weekend.

Eastern Kentucky improved to 2-0 with a 1-0 victory over Robert Morris.

Freshman Taylor Perkins scored her first goal of her career two minutes into the first overtime period to secure the win for the Colonels.

Morehead State fell to Kent State 4-1, dropping the Eagles to 0-2 on the year.

Morehead State gave up two goals in the first half, when finally scoring one of its own with only a few minutes to play in the first half.

Kent State would add two more goals in the second half to bring the Midwest Athletic Conference team to a record of 2-0.

Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville fell 1-0 to in-state opponent Northern Illinois, with the Huskies scoring early in the second half.

The Cougars drop to 0-2 on the season, and will take on Drake this Friday.

Jacksonville State took down Georgia State in its first road match of the season by a score of 2-1.

After being tied at halftime, Whitney Raven pushed the Gamecocks ahead with a goal in the 37th minute.

Belmont opened its 2012 season with a win over Toledo.

After falling behind early in the match, Belmont battled back to defeat the 2011 NCAA Tournament participant.

The win is the first OVC win for Belmont in any sport.

Dominic Renzetti can be reached at 581-2812 or dcrenzetti@eiu.edu.