The Samford University soccer team kept its Ohio Valley Conference championship hopes alive on Friday as the Bulldogs posted a critical 1-0 victory over previously-undefeated Eastern Illinois (6-8-1, 4-1-1 OVC) at Lakeside Field.

Samford's true freshman, Lauren Faubion, scored the game-winning goal during the 68th minute of play, her second of the season. Cayley Winters, also a freshman, turned in a stellar performance in goal by making three key saves en route to her fourth shutout of the season.

"This was a big win for us," said Samford head coach Todd Yelton. "It was emotional because we needed it in order to stay alive in the championship race and because we had never beaten Eastern Illinois. It has really given us some confidence and it just goes to show that if you keep battling and playing hard, then good things will happen."

With the win, Samford (9-3-2, 4-2 OVC) earned its first victory against the Panthers in five games.

Since 2003, the conference foes have consistently rivaled each other for the top spot in the OVC and have played to three one-goal matches in five meetings. A fourth match ended with Eastern Illinois edging the Bulldogs in penalty kicks.

Faubion, Samford's highly-touted forward from McKinney, Texas, slammed home the game-winning goal at 67:53 in the match.

The scoring play was set up by junior Sara Geiger who fought to get one of the Bulldogs' two corner kicks of the game. Off of the ensuing corner kick, sophomore Devon Paris sent a cross directly in front of the goal where Faubion pushed it past EIU's goalkeeper, Tiffany Groene.

"Lauren's goal was a great team goal," Yelton said. "Everybody worked so hard to get it and Sara Geiger did an outstanding job in order to get the corner. Lauren showed poise by getting into position and she made it count. It was a huge momentum-booster for us and it gave us a lot of confidence."

Paris was credited with the assist on the goal, her first of the season.

A loss against the Panthers on Friday would have dashed Samford's hopes for a third-straight regular-season title.

With the win, the Bulldogs head into the homestretch of the conference season needing to win out against Southeast Missouri (Oct. 16), Tennessee Tech (Oct. 21) and Austin Peay (Oct. 23). Samford has a combined 9-2-2 all-time record against the aforementioned teams.

"This is a super tough weekend for us," said Yelton. "These are very tough matches to play back-to-back, because both teams are very well-coached. Eastern Illinois had a difficult surface to play on and so does Southeast Missouri. Sunday's match is going to be tough, but hopefully we'll be able to ride this momentum in order to get a win."

The Samford University soccer team will continue its grueling weekend road trip on Sunday at 1 p.m., as the Bulldogs square off against the Southeast Missouri Redhawks in Cape Girardeau, Mo.

Samford (9-3-2, 4-2) def. Eastern Illinois (6-8-1, 4-1-1), 1-0

SAM 0 1 - 1

Box Score

EIU 0 0 - 0

Scoring: SAM, Lauren Faubion (2) 67:53 (assist Devon Paris); EIU, None.
Saves: SAM, Cayley Winters 3; EIU, Tiffany Groene 2.
Yellow Cards: SAM, Team 88:31; EIU, Sharyne Connell 74:03.