EIU Sports Results from the Weekend
MEN’S SOCCER
A goal in the dying minutes of the match proved to be the deciding factor for Western Michigan Sunday afternoon as the Eastern Illinois men’s soccer team fell to the Broncos 3-2. With the loss EIU falls to 2-3-1 on the season while WMU improves to 6-1.
The Panthers held their own against Western Michigan matching the Broncos goal for goal and tying the match twice throughout the early afternoon contest, but could not hold on late to send the match into extra time.
EIU continues their road trip this coming Wednesday at Wright State as the Panthers take on the Raiders in a match on ESPN 3 at 6 p.m.
VOLLEYBALL
The Eastern Illinois volleyball team split their final games in the Maroon Classic on Saturday. The Panthers defeated Troy in straight sets before falling to the host, Mississippi State, in three sets. With the split, Eastern Illinois moves to 3-11 on the season and will begin OVC play at SIUE on Wednesday.
FOOTBALL
Addison Bounds recovered an onside kick attempt with 31 seconds remaining and Eastern Illinois upset No. 5 Illinois State, 24-21, in the 105th playing of the Mid-America Classic.
It was EIU’s first win over a top five ranked opponent since Nov. 7, 1992 when the Panthers beat No. 1 ranked Northern Iowa.
EIU built a 10-0 lead at the half with Nick Bruno knocking home a 42-yard field goal and Bounds catching a 3-yard touchdown pass from Mitch Kimble. Both Panther scores were set up the turnovers as Vince Speller forced a fumble that led to Bruno’s field goal. Tyree Stone-Davis picked off a pass in the second quarter that led to the Bounds touchdown.
Illinois State cut the margin to 10-7 early in the third quarter as Christian Gibbs hauled in a 16-yard touchdown. EIU quickly answered with a touchdown pass to Ben Odugbesan with 8:06 to play in the third quarter.
Devin Church appeared to ice the game in the fourth quarter as he slipped through gap during an ISU blitz and raced 30-yards for a touchdown. Church finished with 76 yards on the ground.
ISU scored twice in the final five minutes. Jake Kolbe scored on a 58-yard quarterback scramble and then connected with Spencer Schnell on a two-yard pass with 36 seconds left to make it a three point game.
Bounds recovered the onside kick and EIU improved to 2-1 on the year and will host Austin Peay next Saturday at 1 p.m. in the OVC opener.
ISU fell to 2-1 on the season and will open Missouri Valley Football Conference play next week.
