Eureka falls to Lincoln Christian

EUREKA, Ill. -- Senior midfielder Faith Williams (Robinson, Ill./Robinson) scored her 14th career goal in the 55th minute, but visiting Lincoln Christian scored the first two goals of the contest and added an insurance tally in the 63rd minute to earn a 3-1 non-conference victory over the Red Devils, Thursday afternoon at Traister Field.

Neither squad could get anything going offensively early on in the contest, but the Lion's Rachel Johnson took a pass from Abigail Crockett that cleared the Eureka defenders and netted the first goal of the contest in the 34th minute. The Lions maintained a 1-0 into the break.

The visitors' lead swelled to 2-0 shortly after intermission. Crockett took a sharp pass on the run from Laura Beitzel down the left side of the pitch. Crockett was able to deposit her shot into the net 3-minutes, 34-seconds into the second half.

Trailing 2-0, Williams took a deflected shot and weaved her way through the Lions' defense allowing herself the chance to rip an unassisted shot past the Lions' goalkeeper to slice the lead to 2-1.

The Red Devils were unable to capitalize on other shot attempts before the Lions would push their lead back to two goals. Crockett was able to tack on her second goal in the 63rd minute after receiving a pass from Jayla Middleton through the heart of the Red Devils defense.

The Lions held a 33-15 advantage in shots attempted and put 22 of their shots on target. Eureka junior goal keeperKalionna Mathews (Troy, Ill./Triad) recorded 19 saves in the loss.

Eureka will continue non-conference action this weekend in Milwaukee, Wis. participating in the Mount Mary College Labor Day Invite. The Red Devils will play Alverno College at 1 p.m. on Saturday and the host at noon on Sunday.