By Thomas Corhern, TTU Athletics Media Relations
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – Tennessee Tech is coming home in a first-place tie in the Ohio Valley Conference after topping Southeast Missouri 1-0 on Sunday.
Eastern Illinois took its second consecutive loss in a 1-0 decision against Little Rock, putting the Golden Eagles dead even with the Trojans at 5-0-3 in the league with 18 points each. The Panthers now stand in a tie for third with Lindenwood at 16 total points following a 2-1 victory over Southern Indiana.
So it all comes down to one last match as all league teams are idle on Thursday and the Golden Eagles host Eastern Illinois at 1 p.m. on Sunday. Little Rock hosts Lindenwood next Sunday at noon, potentially putting the top four seeds at stake between those two matches.
After a scoreless first half, Lucia Cuadra stole the ball from a Southeast Missouri player and passed the ball along to a driving Natalie Howard. The opportunity was there and Howard took it as she beat Redhawk goalkeeper Madison Geisler for her sixth goal of the year and fourth in OVC play to give Tech a 1-0 lead at 50:26.
The Golden Eagles appeared to have a second goal in the 68th minute as Cuadra headed the ball in, but the official raised the flag, waving the score off the board.
Tech's defense held strong, only allowing just two shots by the Redhawks – neither one on net – as Maggie Conrad collected the clean sheet.
The Golden Eagle offense peppered the Redhawk net, putting nine shots up with five on frame. Tori Soutuyo and Howard each had two tries on goal.
Sunday's match against EIU is scheduled for 1 p.m. Admission is free.
