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EASTERN ILLINOIS vs Central Arkansas
Sept. 14 • 4:30 p.m.
Lakeside Field (1,000) • Charleston, Ill.

MATCH SEVEN
After playing its first six matches away from Lakeside Field, the Panther men's soccer team plays host to Central Arkansas (4-1) on Friday, Sept. 14 at 4:30 p.m.
 
U.S. SOCCER APPRECIATION MONTH
September serves as 'Youth Soccer Month', sponsored by the U.S. Youth Soccer Organization. A variety of promotions and giveaways – courtesy of the U.S. Youth Soccer Organization – will be held throughout the month. Friday's home opener will serve as EIU's 'US Youth Soccer Appreciation Day'. The Panthers will host its annual 'CFC Club Day' on Sept. 30 against Summit League foe UMKC at 1 p.m.
 
CENTRAL ARKANSAS SERIES HISTORY
The Panthers are 4-0 in the all-time series with Central Arkansas. Friday's contest is only the second home match for EIU in the series with the Panthers defeating the Bears, 5-0, in the first meeting between the two schools on Sept. 20, 2008.
 
PANTHER NOTES
• The Panther have had a tough schedule to start the 2012 season as their six opponents have combined to post a 20-8-6 (.676) record. EIU looks to open its home schedule with a win on Friday against a 4-1 Central Arkansas squad.
 
• Senior Jordan Collins scored his second goal of the season in the Panthers 4-1 loss at Dayton on Sept. 9. Collins and classmate Ian McCausland were named to the Marriott Classic All-Tournament Team at the conclusion of the three-day tournament in Dayton, Ohio.
 
• Sophomore Garet Christianson ranks second in the Summit League in shots with 14. Classmate Jake Brillhart ranks fifth in the conference with 12 shots.
 
• As a team, the Panthers rank fourth in the Summit League in goals with six. Jordan Collins and Chris Boswell both lead the team with two goals each.
 
• Sophomore Jake Irwin continues to pace the Summit League in assist with three. The Normal, Ill., native has recorded eight career assists.
 
• After playing Central Arkansas on Friday, the Panthers will play host to Loyola (IL) on Tuesday, Sept. 18 at 4:30 p.m. The Ramblers are 0-4 on the year and face IPFW on Friday at home before traveling to Charleston.
 
• Panther head coach Adam Howarth has accumulated 87 career victories, one shy of passing Fritz Teller in the career coaching charts and moving into third in career coaching wins at EIU.
 
BACK TO THE SUMMIT LEAGUE: YEAR TWO
After participating in the Missouri Valley Conference from 1996-2010, the Panther men's soccer program rejoined the Summit League where they competed from 1983-95. Despite finishing last in the final Summit League standings in 2011, the Panthers look to build on the success they previously had in the conference.
 
EIU won a total of five Summit League titles from 1983-95 while compiling a 48-23-6 (.662) league record.  The Panthers also had 40 players earn all-conference honors while in the league.
 
PANTHERS LOOK TO BUILD ON TRADITIONS
The Panther men's soccer program began in 1963 and started playing at the NAIA level before transitioning to where they currently play at the highest level of competition, the NCAA Division I level. EIU has had success throughout its history from capturing the 1969 NAIA Title to placing third at the NCAA Division I Tournament in 1981.
 
EIU has had 31 winning seasons since 1963, including 19 seasons with 10 or more victories. The Panthers have also produced 21 All-American men's soccer players and two Academic All-Americans.