Tuesday, September 27 – Valparaiso at Lakeside Field 3 pm [Live Stats]

Home Sweet Home: Eastern Illinois men's soccer returns to Charleston for two home matches this week starting with Valparaiso Tuesday at 3 p.m. The Panthers head into the match 2-5-1 overall and 0-1-0 in the Summit League after dropping their conference opener at Oral Roberts 3-2 Saturday evening. Both of EIU's wins so far this season have come on their home field.

One Goal To Rule Them All: The Panthers once again found themselves in a match decided by only one goal Saturday evening after dropping the 3-2 contest at ORU. EIU's 2-0 victory over Green Bay earlier this year is the only match so far this season where either team has won the match by multiple goals. All five of the Panther's losses have been by single goal margins as compared to last year when only five of EIU's 14 losses were decided by one goal.

(Penalty) Spot On: During the match at Oral Roberts, EIU earned their third penalty kick attempt of the season. Davis Wegmann stepped up to the spot only to have his shot blocked by the Golden Eagle keeper, but that did not deter the senior as he jumped on the loose ball and finished off the play to earn his second goal of the season. EIU is 2-for-3 in penalty kick attempts so far this season marking only the second time in the last 10 years that the Panthers have earned three penalty shots. The Panthers recorded three penalty kick attempts during the 2014 season, but were unable to convert a single one. The last time EIU converted two PKs came in 2008 when the squad went 2-for-2 from the spot.

Scouting Report: Valparaiso will be the fifth Horizon League team the Panthers will take on this season. EIU is currently 1-2-1 against Horizon League opponents. This will be the 16^th meeting between the two schools as EIU holds a 10-4-1 series record. The Crusaders are second in their conference maintaining a 3-2-2 overall record while going 2-0-1 in Horizon League play. Valparaiso closes out a four-match road trip Tuesday at EIU. So far this year the Crusaders are 2-2-1 in true road matches having just beaten Cleveland State 2-1. Valpo is led by midfielder Isaiah Madrid who has recorded five goals and two assists so far this year. Madrid is second in the conference in goals and points and first in shots on goal per game averaging 1.71 shots throughout the Crusader's seven matches.

Looking Ahead: Following EIU's match Tuesday afternoon, the Panthers hold their Summit League home opener hosting three-time defending champions Denver Saturday, Oct. 1 at 12 p.m.