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EASTERN ILLINOIS (0-1-1, 0-0-1 Summit) at Oral Roberts (2-0, 0-0 Summit)
Feb. 20 at 4 p.m. | Feb. 22 at 2 p.m.
Tulsa, Okla. (Case Soccer Complex)

Live Stats

CONTINUING CONFERENCE PLAY
Eastern Illinois (0-1-1, 0-0-1 Summit) heads to Tulsa, Okla. to face the Oral Roberts Golden Eagles (2-0. 0-0 Summit) in a two-game series this weekend. The Panthers are coming off a 1-1 tie against Western Illinois in which the Panthers put up 23 shots, the most attempts by the team since Oct. 27, 2012, where the Panthers put up 23 shot attempts against Purdue Fort Wayne. Against Western Illinois, Reed Axthelm managed to score the Panthers' lone goal and took five shots, two of which were on goal. Oral Roberts most recently won a 2-0 match against Rodgers state. The Golden Eagles are led by their former Goalkeeper of the Year, Miles Motakef. 

PLAYERS TO WATCH
Axthelm was chosen as the Summit League Offensive Player of the Week after his big outing against Western Illinois. Axthelm's goal was assisted by midfielder Chad Hamler, who put up four shots himself, with two on goal. Lenni Kirschner managed four shots with two on goal as well. Jonathan Burke returned to the box as the goalkeeper for the second half and both overtimes. Burke allowed no goals and recorded one save. A key takeaway from the last match was how well the Panthers kept the ball on offense. The Panthers' 23 shots, in comparison, to the Leathernecks 11, showed their ability to make the opposing defenders work. The Panthers will need to do this against the strong defense of Oral Roberts.

SERIES HISTORY
The Golden Eagles hold the edge over the Panthers, as the all-time record sits at 7-6-2. The last time these teams faced was Oct. 5, 2019, which ended in a 2-0 loss for EIU. The Panthers managed only two shots against Oral Roberts in last year's match.