Golden Eagles to host senior weekend with pair of OVC match-ups
September 28, 2012

Golden Eagles to host senior weekend with pair of OVC match-ups

The Tennessee Tech soccer team will wrap up its three-game home stand this weekend when it welcomes SIU Edwardsville and Eastern Illinois to town during the Golden Eagles’ annual senior weekend.

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COOKVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Tech soccer team will wrap up its three-game home stand this weekend when it welcomes SIU Edwardsville and Eastern Illinois to town during the Golden Eagles' annual senior weekend.

The Golden Eagles will open the weekend against the Cougars of SIU Edwardsville in a Friday match on the Tech Soccer Field with play beginning at 3 p.m. CT. Tech will then finish the weekend with its senior day match against the Panthers of Eastern Illinois on Sunday at 1 p.m.

"We're looking to take looking to take some of the successes we had on Sunday into this weekend and try to capitalize on them," said head coach Daniel Brizard. "Right now we're trying to find out what we need to do and worry less about what our opponents are going to do. Hopefully we can come out of this weekend with a couple of wins."

Seven seniors will be honored for their hard work, dedication, and success while members of the Tech soccer team and as students of Tennessee Tech University. The Golden Eagles being recognized include: midfielder Kris Cambron, midfielder Sarah Gawthrop, forward Andrea Meloff, midfielder Kerri Reid, defender Alex Stevenson, defender Julie Thompson, and midfielder Jacquie Watkins.

"We have a great group of seniors," said Brizard. "We look to them for leadership and they've provided that this season."

Tech opened Ohio Valley Conference play last weekend, falling just short in its comeback attempt against Jacksonville State, ultimately losing 2-1. With the loss, the team moved to 2-6-1 on the season and 0-1-0 in OVC play.

Junior forward Ellie Iaciofano continued her strong season performance on Sunday, scoring her OVC leading sixth goal of the year. She now has 13 points this season, also good for first in the OVC and has doubled her goals from last season.

Freshman goalkeeper Jordan Brown notched four saves on Sunday, giving her 53 for the season and placing her second among OVC goalkeepers for the year.

Scouting SIU Edwardsville
- SIUE is 4-3-1 in 2012, which includes a three-game winning streak earlier this season against Drake, Kansas City, and Northern Iowa.
- The Cougars are 1-0-0 in OVC play this season, beating Eastern Illinois 1-0 on Sunday.
- Friday's match will mark just the third road game for SIU Edwardsville this season.
- SIUE is 0-1-1 on the road this year and have yet to score in road matches in 2012.
- The Cougars own a 2-0 advantage in this young series, winning the last match in Edwardsville 3-1 last season.
- Michelle Auer leads SIU Edwardsville with two goals and five points this season.
- SIUE goalkeeper Jennifer Pelley has made six starts in seven appearances, allowing three goals on 33 saves and achieving a 4-1-1 record.

Daniel Brizard on the Cougars
"I think SIUE will put the ball on the ground a little more than most opponents and try to pass it around. They are always able to recruit well from the St. Louis area and continually grab girls that can play the game of soccer."

Scouting Eastern Illinois
- Eastern Illinois enters Sunday's match with a 2-8-0 record in 2012.
- The Panthers are 0-1-0 in OVC play this season, falling to SIUE 1-0 last weekend.
- Sunday's game will be the final one for EIU in a five-game road trip that hasn't been kind. EIU is 0-3-0 on this road trip and 0-4-0 in its last four games.
- Eastern Illinois has hosted just three games at home so far this season and own a 1-2-0 record.
- The Panthers own a 14-3-3 advantage in the series against the Golden Eagles including last season's 2-0 win in Charleston, Ill.
- Kristin Germann leads EIU in scoring, racking up three goals this season (a hat-trick against Cleveland State) as well as a team-leading six points.
- Eastern Illinois' goalkeeper, Jessica Taldone, leads the OVC in saves with 63 through 10 games this season.

Daniel Brizard on the Panthers
"I think EIU plays a little more direct than most teams, so we'll try to combat that as best we can. They have always been a tough, blue-collar team that always works hard and never gives up."