Eastern Illinois at Green Bay
Aug. 25 at 7 PM
Green Bay, Wisc. (Aldo Santaga Stadium)
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Panthers Open Up Regular Season
Eastern Illinois Men’s Soccer opens the 2022 regular season on the road against the Green Bay Phoenix. The Panthers look to improve from their record of 2-12-1 a season ago, while the Phoenix are coming off a 2-10-4 season in 2021. Kickoff is set for 7 PM CT.
The Oakley Era Begins
This season will be 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.
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 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.
Series History
Thursday will mark the 29th all-time meeting between the Panthers and the Phoenix. EIU leads the all-time series 13-10-5. The two teams played to a 1-1 draw a season ago at Lakeside Field.
Up Next
The Panthers will head to Cincinnati, Ohio to take on the Xavier Musketeers. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 PM CT.