Eastern Illinois (2-4) vs Belmont (1-5-1)
September 24 at 3 pm
Charleston, Illinois
Live Stats

NO PLACE LIKE HOME: The Panthers return to Lakeside Field on Tuesday after having a week off from play. This is only the second home match of the season, but the last time they were at home they dominated Saint Xavier. The Panthers put up a barrage of shots and won the match 2-0 giving the Panthers their first win of the season. The Panthers are 1-0 at home and look to continue to protect home field against the Bruins.
 
SERIES HISTORY: The series is tied with four wins for each team. The Panthers played the Bruins for the first time in 1998, with the Panthers winning 2-1. The Panthers put up eight goals against the Bruins in 2000 in a 8-1 victory, the largest margin of victory in the series. The last win for the Panthers was in 2007, and since then the Bruins have won every match starting in 2011. The last match these teams played was in 2018 where the Bruins won 3-2. This would be the first victory against the Bruins for Panthers head coach Kiki Lara.
 
PLAYER TO WATCH: Cameron Behm was everywhere in the last game at Lakeside Field netting a goal and an assist on the game. Look for him and Shady Omar to be a major emphasis on the offensive side of the ball.

PANTHERS DEFENSE: The defense has shined this year for the Panthers, especially goalkeeper Jonathan Burke. Burke has 21 saves this season which ranks fourth in the Summit League. He is currently ranked as the seventh overall goalie in the Summit League. He is also tied for first overall in shutouts with two on the season. 
 
UP NEXT: The next game is at Denver against the 1-5-1 Pioneers. This is the first game of Summit League play for the Panthers. The Panthers have never defeated the Pioneers in Summit League play.
 
HEAD COACH: Kiki Lara is in his fifth season as the EIU men's soccer head coach.  Lara has led the Panthers to three straight Summit League Tournament appearances during his four previous seasons. During that time he has coached the Summit League Goalkeeper of the Year and several All-Summit League and All-Newcomer team selections.  He is assisted by Carlos Sendin Castelao.