MURFREESBORO, Tenn. -- The Middle Tennessee soccer team dropped another 1-0 decision Sunday, this one at Eastern Illinois, as the Panthers scored in the first half and staved off the Blue Raiders to take the victory.
EIU's Rebecca Traen netted the only score of the match in the 30th minute on an assist from Kim Garkie, as Traen slid the ball past Middle Tennessee keeper Emily Shrum. Shrum made five saves in the first half before giving way to freshman Danielle Perreault in the second half.
Eastern Illinois (1-1) also missed a penalty kick in the second half.
The Blue Raiders (0-2) had opportunities but could not convert, as Danielle LaDuke hit the post once and the team was called offsides after scoring a goal in the second half. A foul in the box on EIU was also called late in the second half, but the Blue Raiders were awarded an indirect free kick about seven yards from the net.
"We played much better today than Friday," head coach Aston Rhoden said. "We did a much better job of controlling the ball and the match, but unfortunately weren't able to come out with a victory."
Emily Carter had five of Middle Tennessee's 13 shots in the match, while Laura Miguex added three. EIU outshot the Blue Raiders, 16-13 in the match.
The 0-2 start for Middle Tennessee is the first such start since the squad lost to Belmont and Eastern Illinois to begin the 1998 campaign.
The Blue Raiders take on Lipscomb at 7 p.m. Tuesday in Nashville. Middle Tennessee opens the home slate September 6 against Southern Miss at 4 p.m. at the Blue Raider Soccer Field, the first of nine home matches in the 2002 campaign.
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