TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – UT Martin's Kendyl Wilson scored the game's only goal in the 81st minute as the Skyhawks defeated Eastern Illinois women's soccer, 1-0, in the regular-season finale Saturday evening at Indiana State's Memorial Stadium.

With the win, UTM (9-6, 6-2 OVC) clinched a share of its first Ohio Valley Conference regular-season title. The Skyhawks will be the No. 2 seed in next week's OVC Tournament and take on the winner of the Murray State-Eastern Kentucky game Friday in the semifinals.

 

The Panthers (7-7-5, 3-3-2 OVC) will be the No. 5 seed in the tourney. Eastern was already assured of playing Tennessee Tech in the opening round Thursday at 4 p.m. (CST). The winner takes on tourney host Morehead State in the semifinals Friday.

 

Wilson worked free on the right flank after controlling a ball played forward by Jenni Duffy. She hit a perfectly placed shot into the top left corner of the net, lofting the ball out of the reach of a leaping Jenny Williams in goal for Eastern.

 

Five of the last six EIU-UTM games have ended with 1-0 final scores. The Skyhawks posted their conference-leading eighth shutout of the season in Saturday's victory.

 

Williams finished with eight saves, helping keep the Panthers in the game.

 

Eastern was limited to one shot on goal, it coming from Laura Ridolfi in the 62nd minute. Kaitlin Sullivan and Ashley Streid had the Panthers' best scoring chances, but both players missed wide on headers near the post.

 

Sam Balek, Hillary Blake and Kristin Germann went the distance among the EIU field players. Cassie Shear logged 49 minutes off the bench to lead the reserves. She started the second half at defender after initially entering the game in the 26th minute.

 

The game was played in Terre Haute after a week's worth of rain showers led to unfavorable field conditions at Lakeside Field in Charleston.

The Panthers will be making their conference-record 11th consecutive OVC Tournament appearance next week. The annual postseason event is being held in Morehead, Ky., for the first time. Eastern and Tennessee Tech played to a 2-2 draw in Charleston in the regular-season meeting. The two teams have not squared off in the OVC Tournament since 2001.