Issue date: 9/30/09 Section: Sports

The women's soccer team has been hanging its hats on timeliness this season, as the team is 4-3-4 and one of the top teams in the Ohio Valley Conference.

Eastern has been outshot by a total of 98 shots (104-202), but it is scoring two more goals than its opponents-one of the main reasons: timing.

There have been tons of examples of this throughout the season, including an early season match against Cleveland State.

The Panthers found themselves trailing 1-0 until the 78th minute when sophomore midfielder Ashley Eck converted on a goal opportunity. Then senior midfielder Alexis Miller came off the bench and scored in the 86th minute. They were outshot 6-3 in the match.

Another example came on Sept. 20, when Eastern played Wisconsin-Green Bay. The Panthers scored early, but fell behind after two unanswered goals from the Phoenix. However, at the 62-minute mark, red-shirt freshman Ashley Streid scored to tie the game - the score would remain the same, 2-2.

Again this weekend, the Panthers scored a goal in the 76th minute to draw even with Southeast Missouri. They were outshot 27-4 in this match.

Five times this season the Panthers either scored second to their opponent or had to come back to either tie or win a match. Having only played 11 matches so far, this happens nearly half the time.

The large margin Eastern is being outshot by is the most of any of the OVC teams. In fact, none of the teams have given up more than 188 shots.

The Panthers are finding ways to score at the right times during the match. When they have to, they've been able to score.

One of the best examples of timeliness came in Thursday's home match against Western Illinois.

In the 96th minute, junior forward Kaitlin Sullivan scored the game-winning goal, sealing a 1-0 victory against the rival even though they Panthers were outshot 16-11.

What makes this so timely is that head coach Summer Perala was prepared to take Sullivan out of the game in the overtime period. A minute before the goal, Perala called on freshman forward Jessie Morgan to check into the match for Sullivan.

If the ball would have been kicked out of bounds at any time, with Eastern receiving possession, then Sullivan would've been gone - and so might have the goal.

Also, Eastern's opponents are getting two times the number of shots off during a match than they are able to.

In fact, in eight of its 11 matches, Eastern has been the loser in total shots; however, only three of those matches have resulted in a loss.

The Panthers are being timely and efficient, this season. When they need a goal-they get it. When they have a shot-they make sure it's the best they can get.

Obviously stats don't matter to the team. Opponents can out shoot them all they want, but, in the end, the number is just another obstacle to jump over.

Alex McNamee can be reached at 581-7944 or admcnamee@eiu.edu.

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