Late own goal hands women’s soccer team 3rd-straight loss

Phil Delma, Women's Soccer Reporters

 

Freshman defender Henar Urteaga races against Belmont defender Tara Austin during the Panthers' 1-0 loss to Belmont Sunday, Oct. 2.
Lauren McQueen
Freshman defender Henar Urteaga races against Belmont defender Tara Austin during the Panthers’ 1-0 loss to Belmont Sunday, Oct. 2.

In Sunday’s away game against Morehead State, the Eastern women’s soccer team fell 1-0 in the 48th minute in virtue of an own goal after an attempted clearance rebounded from the defense.

The women’s soccer team’s record stands at 4-9 overall and 1-4 in Ohio Valley Conference play.

Following the loss, the Panthers had their last six games decided by a goal, which includes all OVC fixtures played in the season.

Eastern’s late, unlucky loss to Morehead State came in a game where the Panthers were able to get some shots on goal.

The Panthers had 13 shots overall with six of them being on goal. Morehead State had 12 shots, but seven of those were on net.

Freshman goalkeeper Sara Teteak made six saves in the game, which was her fourth most on the season.

Her season high came against Illinois State when she recorded 19 saves.

Most of Teteak’s games have been close games, but Eastern’s offense just has not been able to score many goals. The Panthers have lost their last three games. And with the saves Teteak has made in net, her save percentage is at 83.8 percent.

Recent losses to Jacksonville State and Belmont have come as a result of a goal scored in the last 15 minutes of the game.

Against Southeast Missouri, the Panthers lost by a single goal in which they conceded shortly before the end of the first half.

Against the Eagles, the own goal was conceded shortly after the start of the second half.

The Panthers’ single goal deficit run dates back to the 1-0 victory against Marian University on Sept. 19, which was the only non-conference game in that run.

The Panthers have a pair of home conference games over the weekend, as they face Murray State Friday before closing the weekend against Austin Peay Sunday.

Both opponents head into their respective weekends undefeated in conference play. Murray State hold four wins and a tie, while Austin Peay has three wins and two ties.

Murray State is one of the in-form teams of the weekend. The Racers currently have a three-game winning streak with six goals scored to one conceded.

Austin Peay in their three-game run, have tied twice and won by a single goal margin.

Eastern has been better at home this season than on the road.

Three of Eastern’s four wins have come at Lakeside Field.

With close games being habitual for Eastern in the latter part of the season, turning their conference form around in the weekend with two huge victories remains up in the air.

Eastern will kick off their pair of home conference games at 3 p.m. Friday against Murray State, before playing Austin Peay at 1 p.m. Sunday.

Phil Delma can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected].