Photo Gallery by Sandy King

 CHARLESTON, Ill. – The Panther men's soccer team played St. Xavier to a 1-1 draw on Saturday afternoon at Lakeside Field in the team's final preseason exhibition. EIU opens regular-season play at No. 25 Bradley on Aug. 24.
 
The match was played as two, 35-minute halves in duration and did not see either team net a goal in the first stanza. Freshman Nick Smith got the Panthers on the scoreboard in the 42^nd minute, finding the back of the net from five yards out off a throw in from the left by Jake Irwin.
 
EIU looked to hold onto their 1-0 advantage until St. Xavier scored an equalizer with 33 seconds remaining on the clock. The Cougars scored from three yards out off a free kick from the right, near the end line.
 
The Cougars recorded two more shots (11-9) than EIU and five more shots on goal (8-3). St. Xavier committed two more fouls (13-11) while both teams took three corner kicks.