Murray State’s high-powered offensive attack put pressure on the Eastern women’s soccer team’s defense Thursday, but the Panthers were able to allow only one goal in the 1-0 loss in their season finale.

The Racers were atop OVC standings going into the match Thursday and stayed there with the win, going into the OVC tournament with the No. 1 spot.

In the match Thursday, Murray State fired off 30 total shots against the Eastern defense, with 11 shots on goal, only the one finding the back of the net.

“As far as defending goes, we just remained cool and collected in the first half, even though they kept us on our toes,” sophomore defender Lindsey Carlson said. “We pressured and covered well and stayed compact.”

The Racers have been one of, if not the best team in the OVC throughout the season with its dangerous offense, led by senior team-leading scorer Harriet Withers, who has 12 goals on the year. Withers did not score Thursday, but she did have 11 shots in the match.

“We all knew going into the game that they are dangerous offensively, so we mentally and physically prepared for a defensive game and a tough battle,” Carlson said. “Although there were a lot of shots, some were not on goal and others were not as dangerous.”

She added that you have to give credit where it is due to Murray State, saying the Racers are a threat offensively.

The lone goal for Murray State came from freshman forward Rebecca Kubin, her fifth goal on the season. She scored with 14 minutes left in the match, the only goal the Racers would need.

The match Thursday was the most recent one that became part of the narrative for Eastern throughout the second half of the season.

In the later part of the season, in conference play, Eastern has had trouble scoring, getting only two goals in the last 11 matches of the year.

Thursday against the Racers, Eastern had four shots, two of them on goal.

Sophomore forward Sarah DeWolf had two shots, one of them on goal, and junior defender Kayla Stolfa had one shot that was on goal. Sophomore midfielder Rachel Pappas added a shot as well.

Sophomore goalkeeper Sara Teteak had a busy day in goal, saving 10 shots of the 11 that were on goal.

“(Sara) played a phenomenal game being aggressive and anticipating,” Carlson said.

The Panthers finish the season last in the OVC with one conference point, coming from a tie with Tennessee Tech, who is currently tied for second in the OVC with one match left on Sunday.

The last time the Panthers won was Sept. 10 in a 2-1 victory over Western Illinois.

Eastern’s overall record for the season is 5-12-2, with an 0-9-1 conference record.

Dillan Schorfheide can be reached at 581-2812 or dtschorfheide@eiu.edu