CHARLESTON, Ill. – A goal in all nine home games and an 11th consecutive Ohio Valley Conference Tournament berth highlighted Eastern Illinois women's soccer's 2009 season, the inaugural campaign under the guidance of head coach Summer Perala.

 

The Panthers (7-8-5, 3-3-2 OVC) scored in every home game for the first time since 2003, extending their consecutive games with a goal streak at Lakeside Field to 12 dating back to 2008. That represents the second longest streak in program history.

 

Picked eighth (of nine) in the OVC preseason poll, EIU finished tied for fourth place. The Panthers extended their conference record of consecutive OVC Tournament berths to 11. Eastern remains the only league team that has qualified for the annual postseason event every year it has been held. Dating back to its days as a member of the Missouri Valley Conference, EIU has participated in 14 consecutive conference tournaments.

 

Behind goals from Sarah Rusk and Kaitlin Sullivan early in the second half, EIU had a 2-0 lead against Tennessee Tech in the opening round of the tournament. But Tech's Jen Hoffman, the OVC Offensive Player of the Year, responded with three unanswered goals, completing the hat trick in the opening minute of double overtime. The Golden Eagles went on to upset tournament host Morehead State in the semifinals before losing to Murray State in the finals.

 

Two of EIU's final three games ended in overtime heartbreak at Morehead. Earlier in the season, the Panthers posted their first overtime victory at home since 2006 with a win against Western Illinois. Sullivan scored the game-winner at Lakeside Field, helping EIU end a four-game winless streak against its cross-state rival and make Perala a winner in her first game against her alma mater.

 

Eastern finished the year 4-1-4 at home. The lone loss came on Sept. 6 against a Miami (Ohio) team that went on to rank second in the Mid-American Conference with 11 overall victories. The Panthers trailed at one time during four other home games but scored equalizers to salvage draws. The five ties this season matched a program high.

 

Eastern's most impressive victory of the year came in the season opener at IUPUI, which went to post 17 wins and represent the Summit League in the NCAA Tournament. Ashley Streid scored both goals in her regular-season collegiate debut. The Panthers also scored twice in the final 12 minutes at Cleveland State to rally for a 2-1 win. Alexis Miller played the starring role in the road win, assisting on Ashley Eck's equalizer and scoring the game-winner.

 

Seniors Jenny Williams and Laura Ridolfi represented EIU on the All-OVC First Team. Eastern has had at least one First Team honoree every season the league has handed out postseason awards. Williams finished her career second in shutouts and minutes in goal. Ridolfi scored all three of her goals in conference play, highlighted by a key equalizer in the OVC-opening draw at Southeast Missouri.

 

Center back Sam Balek was named Second Team All-OVC for the second year in a row. She ranked second on the team in minutes played and went the distance in all but one game. Fellow defender Hillary Blake did not leave the field all season. She'll enter her junior campaign having played 2,470 consecutive minutes.

 

Kaylin Lorbert and Blake were both named ESPN the Magazine Second Team Academic All-District for their impressive 4.0 GPAs. Eastern has had at least one Academic All-District selection in eight of the last nine years.

 

Lorbert led the OVC in saves per game (5.8) and save percentage. She started each of the first nine games of the season. Together, Lorbert and Williams made EIU the league leader in saves per game while also ranking second in total saves.

 

Rachel Hamilton, meanwhile, led the OVC with five assists. She also scored three goals to lead the team with 11 points. Miller and Hamilton both finished their careers ranked among the EIU all-time leaders in assists.

 

Kristin Germann represented the Panthers on the OVC All-Newcomer Team after starting every game as a freshman. She recorded a point in all four games of the September homestand, the longest such streak by a Panther since 2004.

 

Eastern will have to bid adieu to six seniors but is slated to return 15 players for the 2010 campaign.

The following is a recap of individual accomplishments by HOMETOWN (High School)

WILDWOOD, Mo. (St. Joseph's Academy) – Kaylin Lorbert, junior, goalkeeper. ESPN the Magazine Second Team Academic All-District… Lorbert played in 10 games and started the first nine contests of the season… also played the second half of the loss at Murray State, keeping the Racers off the scoreboard… became the first EIU goalkeeper since 2005 to start the first nine games of a season… led the OVC in save percentage, helping EIU rank first in the league as well… gave up multiple goals in only two of her nine starts… shutout IUPUI and Northern Iowa in wins… made a season-high 10 saves in the draw with Indiana State… also made nine saves at Eastern Michigan and eight in the draw with Iowa State… earned Academic All-District honors in part for her 4.0 GPA in the classroom… OVC Rankings: first in saves per game and save percentage, seventh in saves and shutouts… EIU Single-Season Rankings: fourth in goals against average, fifth in save percentage… EIU All-Time Rankings: third in goals against average, fourth in save percentage, fifth in shutouts.