EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Eastern Illinois men's soccer got an early goal from Mike Picinich and put 13 of its 20 shots on goal, but IUPUI scored an equalizer in the 76th minute and the two teams settled for a 1-1 draw on day two of the ProRehab Aces Soccer Classic Sunday afternoon.

 

Evansville won the four-team tournament after winning both of its games, highlighted by a 5-3 victory against Stony Brook Sunday. The Panthers (2-2-2) were the runner-up after posting a win and a draw. Center back Kyle Zumski was named the tournament's Defensive MVP after EIU surrendered only one goal in 200 minutes of game action. Sean Molony and Kyle Bullock joined him on the All-Tournament Team.

Picinich scored his second goal of the season off a double assist from Alex Harrison and Bullock in the 17th minute. Harrison played the ball down the sideline to Bullock, who crossed it into the 18-yard box. Picinich flicked it in the net at the near post from point blank range.

IUPUI goalkeeper Tyler Keever made a career-high 12 saves to help keep his team in the game. He stopped a penalty kick opportunity for Jeff Kupiec with one minute and 59 seconds remaining in regulation.

 

Harrison later hit the crossbar in the 97th minute, EIU's best scoring chance of overtime.

Molony made a season-high eight saves in net for the Panthers. He made consecutive saves on shots by Michael Wignot in the 107th minute to keep the game tied. Three of his eight saves came in the second overtime.

 

IUPUI's game-tying goal from Eric Wegman in the 76th minute ended EIU's shutout streak at 268 consecutive minutes.

 

“We should have won the game with the penalty kick, so it was frustrating that we missed it,” EIU head coach Adam Howarth said. “But we just didn't play as well in the second half. We played three very good halves this weekend and the fourth one wasn't particularly good. Sometimes that happens when you play twice in one weekend. We played well enough to win in the first half and felt like we were all over them. To their credit, they played better in the second half. So a tie is probably a fair reflection of the game overall.”

 

The Jaguars (1-4-2) registered 11 of their 22 shots in overtime. Meanwhile, 16 of EIU's 20 shots came during regulation. The Panthers had four corner kick opportunities in the first half but only one the rest of the game. IUPUI had at least one corner in each of the four periods.

 

Ryan Warren, Zumski and Kupiec went the distance among the EIU field players. Warren made his first career start in the draw. Jonathan Hinds logged 36 minutes off the bench to lead the EIU reserves.

 

Eastern returns to action Sunday when its hosts IPFW at 1 p.m.

More Info: Contact Ben Turner, Asst. SID