SPRINGFIELD – The Missouri State men's soccer team (5-3-1) will take a break from its conference schedule on Wednesday (Oct. 5), when the Bears play host to Eastern Illinois (2-7-1).
 
Match Information:
Missouri State Bears vs. Eastern Illinois Panthers, 7 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 5
Location: Springfield, Mo.
Site: Betty and Bobby Allison South Stadium (1,000)
Live Stats | The Valley On ESPN3
 
Series History
Missouri State is 18-5 all-time against Eastern Illinois, and 4-1 over the last five meetings. Since the former Missouri Valley Conference men's soccer affiliate Panthers left the conference, the two clubs have only met on two occasions – once in 2012 at the Dayton Tournament and, most recently, last season in Springfield.
 
Quick Kicks

• Missouri State recorded one of its largest victories last season against Eastern Illinois, topping the Panthers, 3-0, at Allison South Stadium. Then-junior, Phil Woods, netted the game-winning goal for the Bears in the 24^th minute of action. MSU scored twice in the second half off of goals by Tyler Swanner and Jake Laird. Laird was the first defender to score for the Bears in 2015, and he was credited for the game-winning assist on Woods' goal.
• The Bears are currently tied for first in the league for fewest goals allowed (6), while MSU goalkeeper, Liam Priestley, ranks first among keepers in goals against average, posting a career-best average of 0.65. MSU grabbed its fourth shutout of the season in the Bears' 1-0 victory over Evansville, preventing the Purple Aces from scoring for the first time this season.
• Missouri State has taken 10 or more shots in seven of the team's nine matches so far this season. Emmerich Hoegg leads the Bears' squad with 20 shots and is currently fifth in the league in the category. Senior Mikey Lightbourne and newcomer Stuart Wilkin follow closely behind Hoegg with 14 and 16 shots, respectively.
• The Bears have lost just a single game at Betty and Bobby Allison South Stadium, posting an overall record of 12-1-4 at the home facility. In the 17 home matches, Missouri State has allowed just five goals over the last three seasons.

 
Scouting the Opponent
The Eastern Illinois Panthers enter Wednesday's match with an overall record of 2-7-1 and are searching for their first road win of the season. The Panthers opened the season with a 1-1 draw at Northern Kentucky before suffering their first loss of the season to Milwaukee (2-1). They are currently on a five-game losing streak, dropping their last five matches to Western Michigan (3-2), Wright State (1-0), Oral Roberts (3-2), Valparaiso (3-0) and No. 8 Denver (1-0). The Panthers secured both of their victories at home against Green Bay (2-0) and Saint Ambrose (2-1) this season.
 
Follow the Bears
For more information on the Missouri State men's soccer team, visit MissouriStateBears.com or follow the Bears on Twitter (@MSUBearsMSoccer).