FORT WAYNE, Ind. -- Eastern Illinois men's soccer suffered its first overtime defeat since 2008, losing to IPFW, 1-0, on a rebound goal in the 97th minute Friday evening.

EIU goalkeeper Sean Molony made a save on a shot by Andy Masteller but the rebound was deflected into the net by Mitch Falkenstern to account for the lone score of the night. The referee originally ruled it an own goal, but Falkenstern was later credited with the game-winner after a video review.

The loss was the Panthers' first in five all-time meetings with IPFW (1-3) in Fort Wayne. It also snapped EIU's five-game win streak in the series dating back to 2004.

Eastern (0-3) was shutout for a third straight game to begin the regular season. The Panthers were also blanked in the first three games last year. The Mastodons, meanwhile, played in their third consecutive overtime game this month, tasting victory for the first time in 2010 after losing a pair of heartbreakers over Labor Day Weekend.

 

“It was kind of a deflection; we tried to clear it and it was just one of those things,” EIU head coach Adam Howarth said. “The frustrating thing was we were down there close on their end for much of overtime. We had a couple chances and a corner, but that's what happens when you don't have much luck right now.”

 

“Overall the performance was better than Sunday (a 3-0 loss to UNC Asheville). We're still struggling in front of the goal but defensively we were much better. IPFW is much improved is a good offensive team that had lost a couple games in overtime. The law of averages kind of worked out for them tonight and we're hoping the same happens for us Wednesday (the home opener vs. Western Illinois).”

Molony finished with six saves, making two in overtime. Eastern was also credited with a team save on a header shot by Masteller in the 69th minute. The Mastodons had a 19-13 edge in shots and 8-4 advantage in shots on goal.

 

The Panthers defended seven corner kick opportunities for IPFW successfully. Six of those chances came in the first half. Eastern had four corner opportunities, including the lone chance of overtime after an IPFW player deflected an Alex Harrison shot out of bounds.

 

The majority of the whistles went against EIU as well, leading to a 21-11 final foul count.

 

Alex Koch, Graham Lynch, Jerry Maddi, Mike Picinich, Zach Piekarski, Ryan Tinsley and Harrison went the distance among the EIU field players. Kyle Bullock logged 55 minutes to lead the reserves.

 

The Panthers are idle Sunday and return to action Wednesday when they host Western Illinois at 4:30 p.m.