EIU kicks OVC title away from Otahks

After 100 minutes of intense, even competition that found Southeast Missouri State and Eastern Illinois tied 2-2, the Ohio Valley Championship and a trip to the NCAA Tournament came down to a guessing game.

Unfortunately for Southeast, goalie Lindsay Dechert and her Panther teammates won that game 4-3 in a penalty-kick shootout to capture the OVC women's soccer tournament title Sunday.

"What a game," Panther coach Steve Ballard said of the championship, which was delayed 1 1/2 hours because of lightning at Houck Stadium.

In a championship game that lived up to its rematch hype, Eastern Illinois got on the board first on a questionable penalty-kick call by the side referee. Eastern Illinois midfielder Cara LeMaster, who scored both regulation goals for Eastern, slipped it by the out-stretched hand of Southeast goalie Amanda Wrzos, putting Eastern up 1-0 with little more than 10 minutes gone in the half.

Southeast coach Heather Nelson said the call was unfortunate considering the Eastern player was going away from the goal and both players were being physical.

"I think everyone on the field was shocked," Nelson said of the call. "These girls battled back over that like they did all season."

Despite being edged in shots 8-7 in the first half, Eastern Illinois (12-6-2) had the better scoring chances, including five corner kicks. Wrzos was forced to make four saves in the half.

Southeast (14-5-1) came out strong in the second half, and after being saved by the post on an Eastern outside shot the Otahkians dominated the scoring chances.

"Based on the stats we should have won the game," Nelson said.

After creating several quality scoring chances Southeast finally was able to get one by Dechert at the 24 minute mark. Forward Erin Slattery took a cross from Erika Todd, beat her defender and slipped it past the goalie for the equalizer.

With the goal and the momentum, the Otahkians were poised to take the lead. Midfielder Megan Hejlek looked as if she would put the Otahkians in the lead when her header was cleared off the line by the Panther defense, saving a sure goal.

Southeast's season then took a turn for the worse when Eastern converted on a deep free kick to grab the lead with less than five minutes left in the game. But when all hope looked lost OVC player of the year Valerie Henderson served up a lofting free kick and Todd headed it over the Panther goalie to tie the game up with three minutes left.

"Even with four minutes to go they battled back cause they always believed they could win," Nelson said.

As time expired the two teams stood at 2-2 heading into sudden-death overtime. With the crowd of 535 on their feet throughout the overtime, Southeast was able to put up several good offensive chances. Eastern's defense was able to keep the Otahkians at bay.

"These girls did everything I asked them to do," Nelson said.

With the score still tied after overtime the teams moved on to the penalty-kick shootout. Southeast made its first kick, but after back-to-back misses in rounds two and three Southeast found themselves down 3-1.

Backup goalie Lauren Fabbro kept the Otahkians alive with her goal in round five, but Eastern Illinois forward and OVC tournament MVP Teri LaRoche put the ball in the top corner to likely end Southeast's season.

Southeast still has a shot at an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament, which will be announced today.

"It's unfortunate we couldn't have settled it on the field," Nelson said.

Southeast junior midfielder Julie Wunderlich said the loss was especially tough considering how well they played.

"We all had awesome games tonight," she said. "It just didn't go our way. We just really wanted to win it for the seniors."

Wrzos made five saves in the contest. Southeast had three players on the all-tournament team, including defender Jenny Hamilton, Hejlek and Slattery.

Wunderlich said she's confident her team will bounce back no matter when they play again.

"We're really young, and we'll come back strong again," she said.

jjoffray@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 171