OTAHKIANS SUCCUMB TO DEFENDING OVC CHAMP

By Marty Mishow

When Karen Schmitt scored early in the second half Friday night, Southeast Missouri State University's women's soccer team appeared poised to make a run at an upset of Eastern Illinois.

But the Panthers aren't the defending Ohio Valley Conference regular-season champions by accident.

EIU, after withstanding a Southeast flurry, regained control and posted a 3-1 victory in front of nearly 200 fans at Houck Stadium.

The Panthers, who appear headed for their second straight OVC title, improved their conference record to 4-0 and their overall mark to 11-3.

Southeast, which is in fourth place in the six-team league, is now 1-3 in OVC play and 6-5-1 overall.

"After they scored, I thought we had a letdown, but I thought the last 25 minutes we really played good soccer," said EIU coach Steve Ballard. "But I have to compliment Southeast Missouri. I thought they gave a great effort. They gave us all we wanted and made us work for all we got.

"I thought we played well. It was a hard-fought game and I have a great amount of respect for coach (Heather) Nelson and her program."

Nelson, the Otahkians' coach, said she was relatively pleased with her team's performance, except for the outcome.

"Other than being disappointed with the loss, I think our performance was good," she said. "And I know it can be better, which makes me excited."

EIU broke on top just under 10 minutes into the match on a successful corner kick when Cara LeMaster scored after a scramble in front.

Then, with just over five minutes left in the first half, the Panthers made it 2-0 as Rebecca Traen headed in a cross off a free kick from Devon Bissell.

Down 2-0 at halftime, the Otahkians gave their fans something to cheer about less than nine minutes into the final 45 minutes as Schmitt took a pass from Nichole Thiele and scored from about 15 yards out.

Southeast seemed to control the play for about the next 10 minutes before EIU asserted itself. The Panthers had a goal called back because of a hand ball with just over 21 minutes left but added an insurance tally that counted with just over 17 minutes remaining. Beth Liesen scored the goal from in close off a pass from Bissell, who was credited with three assists.

"I thought we were even with them on the field, but they owned us on the set pieces," said Nelson, referring to corner kicks and free kicks. "That's something we're really going to be working on."

EIU held a 21-10 edge in shots and Panthers' goalkeeper Jeanine Fredrick was actually credited with no saves. Southeast keeper Tami Hebert received credit for five saves.

"They have a good team, a mature team," Nelson said of the Panthers. "We're hoping to get another shot at them (in the OVC Tournament)."