CHARLESTON, Ill. – Southeast Missouri women's soccer opened Ohio Valley Conference play Friday afternoon with a 1-0 shutout of Eastern Illinois (3-6, 0-1 OVC).
 
The Redhawks improve to 7-2-1 on the season and begin OVC play 1-0. In all-time OVC openers, Southeast is 9-5-5 including being 4-2 against EIU in those matches. 
 
Natasha Minor scored the game-winner in the 43^rd minute, just before halftime. The Redhawks held on to the slim advantage through the second half to secure the victory in the league opener.
 
Minor's goal was the 23^rd of her career, tying her for third all-time. It was also her ninth career game-winning goal, putting her in a two-way tie for second all-time.
 
Southeast outshot the Panthers 10-4 in the match and put seven on goal. EIU had just one shot on goal in the match.
 
Kindra Lierz (7-2-1) earned the victory in goal for SEMO. She only had to make one save. The win was her 26^th of her career, moving her into a tie for third all time. It was also her 22^nd career shutout, moving her into a tie for second place in the career category.
 
Sara Teteak suffered the loss. She made six stops in the match.  
 
In the 43^rd minute, Minor curled a shot from 30 yards out over the keeper's head and into the back of the net to put the Redhawks up 1-0 going into halftime. Brooke Merseal and Esmeralda Gonzales were credited with the assist on the goal. The goal was Minor's seventh of the season.
 
The Redhawks led in shots at half 5-1, putting three of their shots on goal. The Redhawks also led in corner kick opportunities by the same margin. Fouls were scarce as only three were called in the opening half. All five of the Redhawks' first-half shots came from different players.
 
Southeast added five shots in the second half while EIU had three.
 
Cassidi Tomsu was the only Redhawk with multiple shots with two, landing both on goal.
 
Eastern Illinois led the final foul count, 7-6. Southeast ended with seven total corner kick opportunities in the contest while the Panthers had only one.
 
The Redhawks will continue OVC play at SIUE on Sunday. The Redhawks and Cougars are set to begin at 1 p.m. from Edwardsville, Illinois. The match will be streamed live on the OVC Digital Network.