EIU freshman forward scores two goals in 3-0 win over Lindenwood

EIU freshman forward scores two goals in 3-0 win over Lindenwood Categories: Soccer EIU freshman forward scores two goals in 3-0 win over Lindenwood Emerson Reynolds , Opinions Editor • October 11, 2026 Eastern Illinois senior forward Abby Reinl (left) and freshman forward Amara Leppla (right) celebrate after Leppla’s second goal in EIU women’s soccer’s 3-0 win over Lindenwood at Lakeside Field on Sunday afternoon,  (Alex Silva) A shot from freshman forward Amara Leppla short hopped Lindenwood goalkeeper Caroline Ritter, who couldn’t corralle the ball. Senior forward Abby Reinl crashed into the box, pounced on the rebound and smashed it past Ritter to give EIU women’s soccer a 1-0 lead in the 22nd minute. This would be the goal to eventually win the game. However, the Panthers didn’t stop there, as Leppla scored a goal 1:23 later, then added a second goal in the second half. Leppla’s two goals on top of the assist led the Panthers to a 3-0 victory over Lindenwood Sunday at Lakeside Field. The win for Eastern (4-5-3, 2-1) marked its first over Lindenwood (5-6-2, 1-2) since 2023. “They had out number last year and they’re always competitive,” EIU head coach Dirk Bennett said. “They were picked to finish first in the conference and we were picked to finish second.” Lindenwood beat Eastern 1-0 in what turned out to be the Panthers’ first of a four-game losing streak to end the season. Leppla received a pass from Reinl following a turnover in the 24rd minute. Leppla drove toward the middle of the field and drilled a right-footed shot over Ritter’s outstretched hand into the top right corner to make it 2-0. Ritter was substituted off shortly after, and the game settled in as Bennett began to manage the starters’ minutes. In the 77th minute, Leppla would strike again. She broke away from the defenders into open space on the left side after a pass from senior forward Alex Tetteh left her wide open on the wing. Leppla calmly drove into the box and nestled a shot into the bottom corner to make it 3-0. Leppla’s brace makes it five goals in four games for her. Wing play was a strong part of Eastern’s gameplan in the game with all goals being created from the wings and being scored by a winger. “Part of the gameplan was to use our wide players. Her [Leppla] and Abby [Reinl] and the girls who came off the bench were great,” said Bennett. “We get the ball to them and good things are going to happen.” The 3-0 victory also equals the most goals scored in a game this season as a team tying the Purdue Fort Wayne game earlier this season which ended with a similar scoreline. Though Lindenwood outshot Eastern 13-9, the Panthers hit the target with six shots compared to the Lions’ five, and Eastern created more quality chances. A few of Lindenwood’s better chances were headers from corner that were straight at senior goalkeeper Ella Kratochvil, who stopped all five shots on target that she faced. The clean sheet kept by Eastern was Kratochvil’s 20th career clean sheet, which broke the program record for shutouts in a career by a goalkeeper. “I’m super grateful, super blessed,” Kratochvil said. “It was a great day for us as a team. The past four years have been memorable for me.” The record was formerly held by Tiffany Groene with a total of 19.5 clean sheets. The Panthers will stay at Lakeside Field for their next game against SEMO, who sits in second place in the OVC just ahead of Eastern in third place, on Thursday. This upcoming week is the only week during conference play where OVC teams will have to play two games in the same week. Bennett said that he will plan practice differently with less intensity than usual leading up to Thursday’s game, as the Panthers will then travel to play Morehead State next Sunday. Emerson Reynolds can be reached at [email protected].  View Story Comments 0 Like This Story Share on Facebook Share on X Email this Story Print this Story Leave a Comment Tags: Abby Reinl Amara Leppla dirk bennett EIU women's soccer More to Discover More in Soccer Panthers of the Week: Amara Leppla, San Askin Senior goalkeeper breaks EIU shutout record Panthers of the Week: Bernardo Hanel, Alex Tetteh Panthers beat SIUE for first time since 1996 EIU women's soccer beats Western Illinois on senior day EIU men's soccer loses OVC opener to Western Illinois About the Contributors Emerson Reynolds , Opinions Editor Emerson Reynolds is a junior English major and can be reached at [email protected]. He previously served as a sports reporter. Alex Silva, Photographer Alex Silva is a freshman marketing major and can be reached at [email protected].