Eastern is now 3-13-2 on the season, and 1-7-1 in OVC play, following losses to Austin Peay and Murray State over the weekend.

Coach Jason Cherry said his team played well but let the game get away from them as the game progressed.

“The score didn’t show it,” Cherry said. “But when we stuck to our game plan, we were definitely better.”

In the game against Austin Peay, Cherry said the opening-goal scorer for Austin Peay was offside, but wasn’t caught by the officials at the time.

Cherry said this is when his team changed form and tried a press-defense strategy.

“Once we did that, we began to lose control of the game,” Cherry said. “I’m proud of my team for their effort though.”

Cherry said he also thought senior forward Molly Hawkins was tripped in the keeper’s box on a scoring chance.

The officials gave Eastern a set piece for the Austin Peay infraction, but the ball was placed just outside the goal box instead of being placed within the box for a penalty kick.

“I was fouled inside the box,” Hawkins said. “It should have been a penalty kick but the ref didn’t call it. It could’ve been a whole new game had that call gone the way it should have.”

Eastern would go on to lose to Austin Peay by a final score of 3-0.

In the game against Murray State, Cherry said his team faced early adversity, but managed to keep themselves active in the game throughout.

Cherry also decided to make a change at the goalkeeper spot as he went with freshman Liz Carmody in relief of freshman, and season-starter, Maddie Lyon in the 55^th minute.

“I wanted to give Liz (Carmody) a chance to get some time on the field,” Cherry said. “She’s worked hard all year and she’s earned a chance to show what she’s got.”

Cherry said the goalkeeper change was just a chance give a young player some experience and give Lyon, who’s been the team’s most frequent goalkeeper, a chance to rest and recover.

Eastern went on to lose 4-0 in what was their last road game of the regular season.

Cherry said despite the two losses, he’s still proud of his team’s effort and want to see more of the same in that category.

“All of my players want to win and they showed that this weekend,” Cherry said. “The scoreboard doesn’t necessarily reflect that, but their effort is exactly what I’m looking for.”

Cherry pointed out a number of underclass players for their effort and execution over the weekend.

He said players like sophomore midfielder Ali Carlson, sophomore midfielder Kaci Schonert, freshman defender Kayla Stolfa, freshman midfielder Kate Olson and sophomore forward Madi Fisher for their effort and execution.

“They’ve been stepping up defensively and doing all they can to help the team,” Cherry said. “They’re a pleasure to have on the roster.”

Hawkins said she was happy with the energy that her team exerted.

“I thought we played really hard,” Hawkins said. “We ended up with some unfortunate outcomes even though we kept the intensity high the entire game. It was nice to see everyone work.”

Eastern will see the field for the last time in the regular season as they host Southern Illinois- Edwardsville on Thursday at 3 p.m. at Lakeside Field.

Elias Albert can be reached at 581-281or at ewalbert@eiu.edu