The Eastern Illinois men's soccer team battled Marshall on Tuesday night, but the Panthers fell 2-1 to the Thundering Herd at Hoops Family Field.
Eastern Illinois dropped to 1-4-2 on the season, while Marshall improved to 4-1-2. The match was played in front of an attendance of 2,121.
Marshall struck first in the opening half, taking a 1-0 lead into the halftime break. The Thundering Herd held a 7-4 advantage in shots during the opening 45 minutes, while Eastern Illinois goalkeeper Kai Odagiri made two saves to keep the Panthers within one.
The Panthers responded in the second half, with Keidin Green finding the back of the net to even the match at 1-1. Green finished the night with two shots, including one on goal, while playing all 90 minutes.
Marshall regained the lead later in the second half, scoring to make it a 2-1 contest. The Panthers continued to push offensively, recording six shots in the second half, but were unable to find a second equalizer.
Sergej Misic led the Panthers with three shots and one shot on goal, while Nolan Getzinger added one shot on goal. Adam Boykin recorded two shots off the bench, while Shuto Ishikawa and Marcos Ayelo each added one shot.
Odagiri played all 90 minutes in goal for EIU and recorded five saves. Marshall goalkeeper Yurij Obert made two saves to earn the win.
Eastern Illinois finished with 10 shots, including three on goal, while Marshall recorded 15 shots with seven on frame. The Thundering Herd held an 8-6 edge in corner kicks.
Defensively, Santiago Montoya, Andre Ecker, Lucas Comitre and Joao Peres each played the full 90 minutes for the Panthers.
Eastern Illinois will now turn its attention toward Ohio Valley Conference play as the Panthers prepare for their league opener against Western Illinois.
Eastern Illinois opens OVC play against Western Illinois at Lakeside Field on Saturday, Sept. 26.
