INDIANAPOLIS – Eastern Illinois men's soccer challenged the opposing goalkeeper with only three of its 20 shots and IUPUI's goal in the final minute of the first half held up in a 1-0 win for the Jaguars Wednesday evening.

The Panthers (5-3-1) were shutout for just the second time in nine games this season. The 1-0 loss was also the program's first since losing to nationally-ranked Creighton at home in October 2006. The '06 opener against Detroit marked EIU's last 1-0 loss in non-conference action.

Mark Hansen finished with six saves in net for Eastern. The goal he surrendered came with 41 seconds remaining before intermission. Head coach Adam Howarth said the score was similar to Mike Lewis' goal against UMKC this season. Tyler Fritcha tucked a shot from the left flank inside the near post.

 

The goal was the first Hansen had allowed since the first half of the draw with Northern Illinois on Sept. 14, ending his shutout streak at 259 minutes.

The Panthers (5-3-1) enjoyed a 20-11 advantage in shots. IUPUI (5-3-2) has shutout each of its last three opponents.

 

Howarth said Alex Harrison and Adam Gartner accounted for EIU's top scoring chances, both coming on headers. In the final minute of the game, Gartner's header skimmed the top of the crossbar and sailed high following a corner kick. Harrison's opportunity came in the 49th minute, but IUPUI goalkeeper Tyler Keever made a solid save.

 

“We came out a little flat and didn't play great in the first half,” Howarth said. “It was tough to give up a goal right before the end of the first half. And then they did a good job of trying to consolidate. They out muscled Brad [Peters] and Alex a bit, too. With this being the first of our many midweek games, we'll just have to learn from it.”

 

Among the EIU field players, Nick Bonacker, Patrick Mabeya, Evan Philpott, Gartner, Harrison and Peters played the entire 90 minutes. Gartner has gone the distance in seven straight games, playing 650 consecutive minutes in the process.

The Panthers return to action Sunday for an 11 a.m. (CDT) game at 21st-ranked Ohio State.

More Info: Contact Ben Turner, Asst. SID