Eastern Illinois (0-1-0) at Xavier (1-0-0)
Aug. 28 at 6 PM
Cincinnati, Ohio (Corcoran Field)
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Panthers Head To Queen City
Eastern Illinois Men’s Soccer heads to Cincinnati, Ohio to take on the Xavier Musketeers. The Panthers are coming off a 2-1 season-opening loss to Green Bay while the Musketeers come into Sunday’s game following a season-opening road win at Virginia. Kickoff is set for 6 PM CT.
Panthers Steady on Defense
In the last game against Green Bay, the Phoenix were able to occupy the ball inside EIU’s half of the field for much of the first half, but the Panther defense held strong, limiting the Phoenix to just four shots in the first half and no shots. on goal.
Smith, Hamler Named Players To Watch
Chad Hamler and Julian Smith have been named Summit League Preseason Players to Watch. Hamler comes into this season having made 35 starts at Midfielder for the Panthers. He scored a game-winning goal a season ago in the Panthers’ win at IUPUI and recorded two goals in EIU’s exhibition win over Parkland Community College. Hamler leads all returning Panthers with 14 shots recorded a season ago. Smith appeared in all 15 games for EIU a season ago, including six starts. He scored a game-winning goal in EIU’s home win over St. Thomas.
Spallinger, Okonny, Eccles Make Early Impact
Freshman Forward Jude Spallinger scored a goal in EIU’s home exhibition win over Parkland CC. Okonny made the assist on the goal and also scored a goal of his own in the win. Sam Eccles scored a goal off a penalty kick in the 82nd minute of EIU’s opener at Green Bay for the Panthers’ first goal of the regular season.
Series History
Sunday will mark the 7th all-time meeting between the Panthers and the Musketeers. Xavier leads the all-time series against EIU 3-2-1, including a 3-2 advantage against the Panthers in Cincinnati. In their meeting to open up the 2021 season, Xavier beat EIU 1-0 at Corcoran Field.
Up Next
The Panthers will head to Indianapolis to take on the IUPUI Jaguars on Friday, September 2. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 PM CT.
The Oakley Era Begins
This season is the first under the new head coach Josh Oakley, who was hired as the 11th head coach in the history of the program on June 29. A native of Mattoon, Ill., Oakley previously served as an assistant coach at EIU from 2000-02, and returns to Charleston after a successful stint at Lansing Common FC in the Midwest Premier League. Oakley also has previous collegiate coaching experience with stops at Spring Arbor University, Alma College, and Asbury College.