Both fond memories and bitter heartbreak have been implanted in the series between Eastern and Southeast Missouri the past few years.

The two powerhouses of the Ohio Valley Conference have slugged it out for the last two years with each team winning two of the four games.

But to SEMO, those two wins might as well have been like the two games it lost. After being crowned OVC regular season champions the past two seasons, Eastern has come into Cape Girardeau, Mo., and stolen the NCAA Women’s College Cup berth after winning the OVC tournament championships in dramatic fashions.

Last season the game went to penalty kicks, which Eastern won 4-3, and the previous year Eastern won 1-0.

Though neither team is currently on top of the standings of the OVC Friday’s game will still provide the same atmosphere as the previous four games.

“I think it’s great that we are playing SEMO who has been defending the conference regular season for two years,” Eastern coach Steve Ballard said. “I have some very fond memories down there.”

Senior Teri LaRoche, who had the game-winning penalty kick in last year’s tournament championship, said the rivalry is still strong.

“The past two years have really made an impact on this game,” LaRoche said. “We just need to come in there fired up.”

SEMO has lost two conference games already this season, which is two more than the previous two regular seasons.

The Otahkians last game might be one they would soon like to forget. They dropped a 1-0 overtime game to the previously winless Murray State Racers, moving them down to fourth place in the conference.

The lack of scoring has not only plagued them against Murray, but has been a problem all season. SEMO has only 21 goals in its 16 games, which ranks them seventh in the OVC.

Goalie Amanda Wroz has been the savior in the Otahkian net this season, allowing just 15 goals and having a .89 goals against average.

All season Eastern has looked to senior Beth Liesen for offensive production, and she has delivered. Liesen has 15 goals on the season, tying her for 12th in the nation.

“Beth just comes through when we need her,” Ballard said. “She has picked her game up to the next level. I really think she has a future in soccer. Her expertise has spread throughout he team.”

One of the players it has spread to has been sophomore Sharyne Connell who is second on the team in goals with six.

Eastern is guaranteed at least second place in the conference unless it loses its two remaining conference matchups.

Currently the Panthers sit one point behind first-place Samford, which Eastern would beat in a tiebreaker from head to head competition.

Ballard would still like to see his defense improve entering the final weeks of play. At the beginning of the season he expected the experienced players in the back to be team leaders, but they have struggled to be consistent.

“We are going to get our defense put together,” Ballard said. “Everybody has to be a defender on this team. It cannot be just a goalkeeper and four defenders.”

To shake up the lineup a bit, Ballard has started Tiffany Groene in goal the past six games, going 4-0-2 in that span.

“Since we have started Tiff, we haven’t lost,” Ballard said. “We are just trying to find the right combination back there. I have confidence in whoever I put there.”

The main focus in this game will be preparing for the upcoming conference tournament in early November.

“Both of us are really focusing on the tournament,” Ballard said. “We just want to go down there and play to our ability.”