LEXINGTON, Ky. – Eastern Illinois men's soccer played from behind almost the entire game after surrendering a goal 115 seconds following the opening kickoff and was unable to get on the board in a 3-0 loss to UNC Asheville Sunday afternoon on day two of the UK Invitational.

UNC Asheville's Bryan Bartels scored from 10 yards out from the near post in the second minute. It was the earliest goal EIU had surrendered since 2004 at Missouri State (82 seconds in). Jake Hagedorn would score twice later in the first half to account for the final margin.

The Panthers (0-2) enjoyed a 12-7 edge in shots but only challenged UNCA goalkeeper Lassi Hurskainen with three of their shots. The Bulldogs (1-1), meanwhile, scored with three of their four shots on goal. Bartels also hit the post in the 14th minute.

 

The last of UNCA's three goals came on a Hagedorn blast after a corner kick in the 28th minute. It was one of only two corner kicks EIU surrendered on the day. Eastern had five corner chances, including two in the first four minutes of the game. The Panthers were credited with nine of their 12 shots in the second half.

 

“Sometimes early goals are not good because it gives a false sense of security,” EIU head coach Adam Howarth said. “But today it was a shocker for us to give one up in the first couple minutes. We picked it up in the second half but we could have been there all day and may not have scored.

 

“The first two goals were our mistakes, a giveaway defensively on the first one and [goalkeeper Sean] Molony dropped the second one that led to a rebound. We didn't follow our marks well on the third goal off the corner. We dug ourselves into a big hole with the beginning of the game. And we came out sluggish in both games this weekend. We picked it up as both games went on but had a hard time putting the ball in the net. We had our chances but didn't put any of them away. [UNC Asheville] came out and changed some things around (after losing their season opener to IUPUI Friday). We've got to do the same this week in practice.”

Alex Harrison, Alex Koch and Mike Picinich went the distance among the EIU field players. Trevor Kohlrus logged 84 minutes to lead the reserves, replacing Graham Lynch on the back line after the newcomer left the game early due to injury (cleat to the shin).

Harrison represented the Panthers on the All-Tournament Team.

The Panthers return to action Friday at IPFW. Kickoff is slated for 6 p.m. (CDT).

UKIT All-Tournament Team
Alex Harrison, F (EIU)
Dylan Asher, D (Kentucky)
Jordan Rose, F (Kentucky)
Tyler Riggs, F (Kentucky)
Tyler Beadle, GK (Kentucky)
Perez Agaba, F (IUPUI)
Mason Cassady, MF (IUPUI)
Joshio Sandoval, MF (IUPUI)
Jake Hagedorn, MF (UNCA)
Connor Holzinger, MF (UNCA)
Jake Sides, D (UNCA)