The Ohio Valley Conference has a new team atop the conference standings. The Eastern women’s soccer team got a tie and a win during a weekend of OVC games against Jacksonville State, moving them to first place in the conference standings.

On Sunday, Eastern Illinois took on Samford which was undefeated and in first place in the OVC standings at the start of the day.

In the first half, Eastern outshot Samford six to zero, but was unable to come away with any goals.

“We have struggled to get the ball in the net and the first half was evidence of that,” Eastern head coach Steve Ballard said.

In the second half, Eastern continued to pound away at Samford goalie Crystal Royall, and finally jumped ahead in the 50th minute on a breakaway goal by Beth Liesen.

“It was a big goal, and it set up the tempo for the rest of the game,” Liesen said.

Less than 10 minutes went by before Eastern added another goal, this time on a shot outside the 18-yard box by Trisha Walter, assisted by Liesen.

“That goal really kept us up, and gave us a better edge,” Walter said.

“It really allowed us to stay composed,” Liesen added.

Eastern then added an insurance goal by Walter, assisted again by Liesen, who ended senior appreciation day with one goal and two assists. Samford scored with a little more than 15 minutes remaining on a shot from Lindsay Shanks to make the final

3-1, and putting Eastern into first place.

“It was a tremendous effort by our team and everybody played at the level they can,” Ballard said. “We now control our destiny in the Ohio Valley, if we win out we win the Ohio Valley,” Ballard said.

On Friday Eastern took on Jacksonville State and tied them 1-1 in overtime. Eastern jumped out on top 1-0 on a goal by Sharyne Connell in the 19th minute, assisted by Morgan Frericks.

Jacksonville State got a goal from Tiffanie Stewart in the 41st minute to tie the game up 1-1. After the second half and two ten minute overtimes the game stayed tied despite several chances by both teams including a shot by Jacksonville State that deflected off the goal post.

The Panthers resume play on the road Saturday against Murray State at 1 p.m.