Sophomore forward Abby Reinl scored for the eighth time in as many games as Eastern defeated Tennessee Tech University 2-1 Thursday at Lakeside Field.
Reinl’s goal, which ended up being the game winner for Eastern (5-6-5, 3-2-2), was scored in the 80th minute and assisted by sophomore forward Alex Tetteh.
This goal comes after Reinl was named Ohio Valley Conference player of the week after scoring two goals in a game Sunday against Western Illinois.
“My confidence has grown a lot since last year just being an upperclassman and just being able to gel with my team,” Reinl said. “I know they have my back and I have theirs so just having that confidence in working together.”
The first goal of the game was scored by senior midfield captain Avery Richardson in the
17th minute with a header. The assist came from the foot of junior defender Kya Trejo who sent the ball in from a corner kick.
Richardson, who recorded her first career assist against Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and had recorded an assist against Western Illinois on Sunday, scored her first collegiate goal.
“I am happy regardless if that ball goes in the back of the net, but I think I’ve been itching for a goal my entire career here and today I finally proved it to myself,” Richardson said.
Tennessee Tech (4-8-5, 4-2-1) scored in the 82nd minute to cut the Eastern lead in half when sophomore forward Tori Soutuyo pounced on a slow roller in the area and smashed the ball into the back of the net.
Going into the game, Tennessee Tech was in third place in the OVC, one point behind Lindenwood and Little Rock for first.
At the start of the season, the Golden Eagles were predicted to finish in first place, and Eastern was predicted to finish in eighth.
“We just played a very good team there at the top of the standings and they’re up there for a really good reason to come out and perform the way we did,” Eastern head coach Dirk Bennett said. “This team is learning how to win every single time and learn from it.”
Today’s win also came from a great defensive performance by Eastern. Tennessee Tech was putting pressure on the entire game, taking a total of 13 shots.
The game was switching in momentum constantly with both Eastern and Tennessee Tech having multiple stretches where they were in charge of the game.
Eastern’s passing game also shined with multiple chances coming off strings of
multiple passes.
Eastern will look to continue their two-game-winning streak in their final home game of the season against UT Martin this Sunday October 20th at Lakeside Field.
Eastern’s last game of the regular season will be at Little Rock on Oct. 27.
Eastern will look to win both of these games so they can secure themselves a spot in the postseason OVC tournament and hopefully get home-field advantage.
Emerson Reynolds can be reached at 581-2812 or at etreynolds@eiu.edu.
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