The Eastern women’s soccer team will hit the road for its second Ohio Valley Conference match of the season at 7 p.m. Friday against Jacksonville State in Jacksonville, Ala. The Panthers will also take on the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles at 1 p.m. Sunday in Cookeville, Tenn.

The Gamecocks enter the match with the OVC’s best overall record at 8-2-1, and 1-0 in conference play. The Panthers have lost each of their last four matches, all shutouts, and have only registered two goals in the last six matches. The Panthers enter the match at 2-8, coming off a 1-0 loss in the conference opener to Southern Illinois-Edwardsville.

Jacksonville State ranks first in the OVC in goals scored with 20, averaging 1.82 per match. The Gamecocks have also shutout five of their 11 opponents this season, which is also a best in the OVC.

Though not having scored since her Aug. 26 hat-trick, senior forward Kristin Germann still leads the Panthers in goals with three. Germann also leads the team in shots with 21 total, and shots on goal with 10.

Eastern leads the OVC in saves with 65 in 10 matches, most of those coming to red-shirt junior goalkeeper Jessica Taldone, who has started every game for the Panthers. Jacksonville State has the second most with 56 in 11 matches.

The Panthers will be likely to see goalkeeper Katelyn Geddings between the pipes for the Gamecocks. The six-foot senior from Warrior, Ala., has appeared in all 11 matches for Jacksonville State.

Jacksonville State is led by sophomore forward Courtney Hurt, who leads the team with five goals.

Despite having the OVC’s best record, the Gamecocks are 1-2-1 when playing at home, compared to a perfect 5-0 on the road. Jacksonville State is coming off two straight wins, beating Samford and Tennessee Tech, both by a score of 2-1.

Eastern head coach Summer Perala is 3-0 all-time against the Gamecocks, with all three wins being shutouts.

The Panthers will continue their road trip with a match at 1 p.m. Sunday in Cookeville, Tenn., to take on Tennessee Tech.

Historically, the Panthers have performed well against the Golden Eagles, holding a 14-3-4 advantage, including a 4-1-3 record on the road against Tennessee Tech.

Tennessee Tech is 2-6-1 on the year with a 0-1 record in conference play, losing 2-1 to Jacksonville State.

Junior forward Ellie Iaciofanco leads the Golden Eagles with six goals this season. Freshman goalkeeper Jordan Brown will likely get the start for Tennessee Tech.

Around the OVC

OVC action is in full swing, with all OVC teams playing this weekend.

Eastern Kentucky travels to Nashville, Tenn., to take on Belmont at 3 p.m. Friday. Southern Illinois-Edwardsville will take on Tennessee Tech at 3 p.m. Friday in Cookeville, Tenn.

Murray State will square off with Southeast Missouri at 6:30 p.m. Friday in Cape Girardeau, Mo. Austin Peay will play Tennessee-Martin Friday at 6:30 p.m. in Martin, Tenn.

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