Parity and the addition of two teams to the Ohio Valley Conference will highlight the 2003 conference schedule for the Panther women’s soccer team.

Eastern (4-4-2) hopes to improve on its performances in non-conference games. The Panthers also hope to capitalize on the equality of teams in the OVC.

“We’ve struggled during the pre-conference schedule, but I would rather go through it (before the start of the conference schedule), ” head coach Steve Ballard said. “Anyone in the conference can knock off anyone. There is a lot of parity in the conference and in women’s soccer right now.”

The addition of former Atlantic Sun Conference members Samford and Jacksonville State to the OVC will increases the number of teams competing in the conference to seven, and is expected to increase the level of competition.

“I expect the conference to be tough with the addition of Samford and Jacksonville State,” Tennessee-Martin head coach Nathan Pifer said. “Catching some breaks during the conference schedule is going to be key to winning some games.”

Southeast Missouri head coach echoes sentiments of her fellow OVC coaches when discussing the addition of teams to the OVC.

“I think the conference is very strong. The addition of the two teams is going to be very good for the conference, in particular the addition of Samford,” Southeast Missouri head coach Heather Nelson said.

Coach Nelson and the Otahkians hope to defend their 2002 undefeated conference record and regular season conference championship. Coach Nelson attributes the strengths of this years team to several factors.

“We have a lot of people that contribute, but, thus far, our team strength has come from our depth and defensive performance,” Nelson said.

After defeating SEMO on penalty kicks in the 2002 OVC tournament final, the Panther’s expect to face a tough SEMO team in the 2003 conference schedule.

“Southeast Missouri has some great players and coaches,” Ballard said.

The Panther’s performance in the non-conference schedule is typical of the team in the early portion of the season, and is usually corrected during conference play.

“We usually play our best soccer during the conference season,” Ballard continued.

Jacksonville State hopes to make a good impression after leaving the Atlantic Sun Conference. The Gamecocks will enter conference play with an overall record of 5-3-1.

“The OVC has two very dominant teams in Eastern Illinois and Southeast Missouri, but there is also a lot of parity in the conference,” Jacksonville State head coach Lisa Howe said. “The transition from the Atlantic Sun Conference to the OVC should not be that bad for us. Our schedule and travel (plans) are really going to help us.”

Eastern’s run for a third straight national tournament appearance will begin Friday when the Panthers host Morehead State.