The Panthers (6-8-3 in 2009) take on Kentucky (13-6 in 2009) in the regular-season opener for both teams Friday at 6:30 p.m. (CDT). Sunday, EIU squares off against UNC Asheville (6-12-2 in 2009), the lone first-time opponent on its schedule, at 11:30 a.m. (CDT). IUPUI rounds out the four-team field, but will not play the Panthers until Sept. 22 in Charleston.
Eastern was victorious in its one and only other trip to Lexington, defeating the Wildcats in the final minute of double overtime on a golden goal by Brad Earl in 2007.
Alex Harrison helped setup the game-winner for the second of his 20 collegiate assists.
Darby Kehoe also saw action in that memorable EIU victory, logging 38 minutes off the bench.
Kentucky has only one player still on its roster that played in the 2007 EIU-UK game, Lexington native C.J. Tappel.
The Wildcats and EIU share an affiliate member distinction, competing in different conferences than the rest of their university's athletic teams. As one of only two Southeastern Conference schools that sponsors men's soccer (South Carolina being the other), Kentucky competes in Conference USA. The Wildcats called the Mid-American Conference home from 1995-2004.
The regular season kicks off around the country Wednesday. However, all four teams participating in the UK Invitational opted to open their seasons Friday. Around the Missouri Valley Conference, Drake and Evansville also open Friday instead of Wednesday.
During EIU's Valley era (1996-present), the Panthers have participated in a tournament the first weekend of the regular season in 1997, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2009. Eastern won Bradley's tourney in 2007. The Panthers are 26-11 in season openers since 1973 but only 8-6 since 1996.
Kentucky's 13 victories in 2009 were the second most in Conference USA. The Wildcats also surrendered a CUSA-low 15 goals. Like EIU head coach Adam Howarth, who begins his 11th year as the leader of the program, UK manager Ian Collins is also a native of England. Kentucky's roster features six Englishmen, as well as an Australian, Brazilian and Guatemalan.
Conference USA does not release a preseason poll but midfielder Matt Lodge and defender Brad Walker did represent the Wildcats on the preseason all-conference team. Lodge led UK with six goals in 2009, while Walker started every game and ranked third among the field players in minutes.
Kentucky is guaranteed of having a new face in goal. Graduated senior Dan Williams played every minute in 2009. Tyler Beadle and St. Louis native Kevin Corby both redshirted as freshmen a year ago and John Guadarrama has joined the program as a transfer. Beadle started each of UK's three preseason games, which included a 2-2 draw with Marquette at home, a 1-0 win against a 19-and-under Brazilian club team and a 2-1 victory at Dayton.
UNC Asheville competes in the Big South Conference and is led by head coach Matt Kern, who took the job in June. He inherits a team that was picked seventh (of nine) in the Big South preseason poll after also finishing seventh in 2009. The Bulldogs lost their final six games of 2009 and went 0-1-1 in their two exhibition games, playing Mars Hill College to a draw and losing to Appalachian State.
Connor Holzinger, Zachary Odum and Jake Hagedorn are all back for UNCA after sharing the team lead with three goals apiece in 2009. Finland native Lassi Hurskainen has also returned after being the primary goalkeeper last season.
Eastern begins its regular season with three consecutive games away from Charleston before hosting Western Illinois Sept. 15 in the home opener at Lakeside Field.
