Box Score EVANSVILLE - Opening its regular season, the University of Evansville men's soccer team earned a 3-1 win over Eastern Illinois in a late goal frenzy at Arad McCutchan Stadium on Friday evening.
"It was a good game. I think we slipped there and gave the goal to them and made it 2-1 we made it a lot more interesting in the last 20 minutes," said Aces head soccer coach Marshall Ray. "All in all, I'm pleased with the guys. Its still early in the season. We had a lot of guys play tonight and I'm going to have a hard time figuring out rotations and who plays where and keeping guys happy, but that's a good thing. I think we were able to keep possession of the ball and wear them down a little bit. Gave them life when we gave them that goal, but we'll learn from it and move on."
The Aces opened the match with an early goal in the 22nd minute as redshirt senior Hunter DeWeese slipped the ball through to freshman Matic Pavlic, who clipped the ball past the keeper. Evansville held onto its advantage throughout the final 22 minutes, taking a 1-0 lead to the break.
In the second half, Evansville maintained possession, but had to weather early opportunities from the Panthers. Eastern Illinois tallied four shots in the second half, but despite the opportunities, the Panthers could not even the score. With less than 15 minutes left in regulation, junior Luis Aranda maneuvered into the box and was brought down, earning a penalty for Evansville. Senior Jesse Stafford-Lacey delivered at the spot, scoring his first of the season and propelling the Aces in front by two goals.
Â
Box Score (PDF)
EIU moved back within a goal less than four minutes later on a goal by Alex Castaneda after the Panthers worked the ball over the top to Castaneda. After EIU missed a chance to tie the match, the Aces capitalized on an opportunity. EIU sent everyone forward for a corner kick and after the set piece was cleared, sophomore Simon Paez Abedanck possessed the ball with no one in front of him and calmly trotted towards goal. Taking his time, Paez Abedanck finished the ball past an EIU defender to give the Aces a 3-1 lead and secure the win for the Aces with 22 seconds remaining.
Evansville out-shot EIU, 11-5, in the match with an 8-1 advantage in the first half. The Aces also held an advantage in corner kicks with a 7-1 spread over the Panthers.
The Aces are back in action on Monday evening on the road at Butler at 6 p.m. (CST) in Indianapolis, Ind.
Â
