EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. - Kristin Dierker and Hope Jones scored first-half goals as Southern Illinois University Edwardsville women's soccer defeated Eastern Illinois 2-1 Friday night at Korte Stadium.

The Cougars improved to 7-2-1 with the victory over the visiting Panthers. EIU, an Ohio Valley Conference rival, dropped to 4-7-2.

SIUE put the pressure on Eastern Illinois over the first 45 minutes, outshooting the Panthers 7-0. The Cougars controlled the flow of the game in the first half to take the early lead.

"I thought we definitely started well. It might have been one of our best halves to start a game," said SIUE Head Coach Derek Burton. "We did what we wanted to in terms of keeping the ball."

SIUE's Devon Thomas made a key play at 12:33 by stepping up from 20 yards out to challenge a defender. The resulting play deflected high into the air and into the box to Dierker, who headed the ball past EIU goalkeeper Kaylin Lorbert from 12 yards out.

The Cougars would take a 2-0 lead when Hope Jones scored her second goal of the season. Rachel Brcic fed the ball to Jones, who settled it and scored from 30 yards out on the right side of the goal. It also was the Cougar freshman's second game-winning goal of the season.

"We had the opportunity to put a third or fourth on the board so, all in all, we will take it," said Burton.

Eastern Illinois came out stronger in the second half and pressed the Cougars. Kristin Germann scored her fourth goal of the year from 10 yards out on a pass from Ashley Eck at 64:26.

SIUE outshot EIU 12-4 overall. Claire Lovercheck grabbed three saves, all in the second half, to pick up the victory in goal for the Cougars.

"We thankfully hung with it and got the win," added Burton.

The Cougars, who have now won two straight, play once more this weekend. SIUE travels to Missouri State for a 1 p.m. game Sunday in Springfield, Mo. Four of SIUE's final six games are on the road.

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