Eastern Illinois University women’s soccer team beat Valparaiso University with a score of 1-0. Junior defender Kya Trejo scored her first goal ever, giving Eastern the win and snapping a 22-year winning drought to Valparaiso. 

The match was close for all 90 minutes, but the Panthers took the game in the end, earning their first of the season. Possession was also very balanced with Valparaiso having 51% possession and Eastern 49%.

Eastern had a major chance within the first five minutes in the game with Valparaiso making multiple goal line blocks. Valparaiso finally cleared the ball from danger after three different shots at direct range. 

The game would then slow down for most of the game with both sides trying to play as defense oriented of a game as possible. This led to a game with a small number of shots on target with Eastern Having nine in total, seven on target and Valparaiso with 15, three of those being on target.  

Eastern coming out of the half had multiple chances to score, but their best chance of the game was a run where number six Abby Reini was fouled in the box. She missed the penalty but then after two more rebounds the ball was put in the net but then called offsides.  

Eastern’s spirits were lifted sixteen minutes later when Kya Trejo scored an outside of the box goal into the top left corner, putting the team up in the 66 minute.  

Eastern then rallied for the rest of the game and kept their defense up. Confirming the victory for them. 

This game marked Eastern’s first win over Valparaiso in 22 years; the last time they won was Oct. 6, 2002, when the Panthers beat them 4-1. 

After the game coach, Dirk Bennett said that he was excited with the win over Valparaiso. He also commended them for putting up such a major challenge for his team, as they made the National tournament only a year ago.

Coach Bennett said that he saw a lot of growth. He said that once the team did score, “They needed to learn how to keep the lead.” He was relieved when the team was able to secure the victory. 

He said that the main worry in the coming days was for the girls to recover and get prepared for their next game.  

Eastern plays again on Sunday, Aug. 25, against the University Purdue Fort Wayne at the Lakeside Field where they will try and improve on their 1-1-1 record. 

Emerson Reynolds can be reached at 581-2812 or at etreynolds@eiu.edu.