NASHVILLE - Cole Harkrader scored for Eastern Illinois men's soccer with just under ten minutes left in the second half to give them a 2-1 edge over Belmont. The Bruins responded with two quick goals in the final minutes of play to take a 3-2 win over the Panthers. EIU falls to 2-5-2 on the season while Belmont improves to 2-5-1.

Despite being short handed following a red card being issued to Shady Omar at the 7:56 minute mark, Nate Francke scored his first career goal for EIU. Edgar Mesa passed the ball to Francke on a header off Jake Andrews's corner kick giving the Panthers a 1-0 lead in the first 29 minutes of the match. Mesa and Andrews each recorded an assist on the play.

Belmont responded less than a minute later with their own goal to tie the game 1-1. Matteo Bennati found the back of the net off a cross pass from Ares Marlonsson. Bennati finished the match leading both teams with four shots on goal while Marlonsson finished with two assists.

The Panthers took another lead in the 80th minute off a header from Harkrader who scored over the goalkeeper's head on a pass from Erik Isaksson. The Bruins closed the match with back-to-back goals from Adam Voloder and Niccolo Dagnoni in the 86th and 89th minute to give Belmont a 3-2 win.

Belmont held a 12-3 corner kick advantage over EIU. The Bruins also took 16 shots to the Panthers eight. Mesa and Andrews each took two shots to lead EIU.

Jonathan Burke played 90 minutes in goal for the Panthers making four saves. 

The Panthers will be back in action on Saturday Sept. 29 to open the conference season at home. They will host No. 4 Denver at 3 pm at Lakeside Field.