Preview: EIU Men's Soccer vs Purdue
Thursday, 29 August 2024
Eastern Illinois Men's Soccer is seeking a crucial kickoff to this season, looking to claim their second win of the season against Purdue Fort Wayne after falling to Detroit Mercy on Monday Night.
The Panthers' first win of the year came against the University of Chicago in their season opener, winning 3-0 thanks to 3 different goals, following Sam Eccles' two assists in Thursday's contest.
Jackson Liley currently leads EIU with two goals on the year, logging one in each of the games so far this season, and he is not the only notable contender for the Panthers as graduate Sam Eccles was also named EIU's Ohio Valley Conference preseason player-to-watch after a strong 2023 campaign.
The upcoming contest against Purdue Fort Wayne is set to be the second game of a double header, and the following the EIU Women's soccer game that begins at 2pm, prior to the Men's.
The Panthers will soon hit the road after their date with the Boilermakers, marking their first away match of the season and their first of a six-game road stretch, traveling to Southern Indiana University September 4th, then facing the Screaming Eagles again at the end of the month on September 28th, beginning OVC conference play.
Last year's campaign promises returns of some fierce players on the pitch, with Panthers' Casey Welage and Felipe Kerr Lourenco set to return; Welage finishing the season with six points as Kerr Lourenco was close behind with five.
Sophomore Kyle Kimberling is also set to return as well, finishing last year's season as the Panthers' second leading goal scorer.
Thursday's matchup against Purdue marks the 21st faceoff in Eastern's history against the Boilermakers, the Panthers taking that game in 2022 1-0 and leading the all-time series 13-7.
