IPFW Clinches Summit League Tournament Berth with 2-1 Win Over Eastern Illinois on Senior Night

Saturday, November 5

Hefner Stadium

7:00 PM

Purdue Fort Wayne

8-9-2 (3-2-1)

Eastern Illinois

7-9-1 (1-4-1)

Eastern Illinois

IPFW

IPFW Clinches Summit League Tournament Berth with 2-1 Win Over Eastern Illinois on Senior Night

11/5/2011 9:29:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

Box Score

FORT WAYNE, Ind. – Sophomore Kyle Ackerman floated a 25-yard shot into the back of the Eastern Illinois net with under two minutes left in regulation to break a 1-1 tie and send the IPFW men's soccer team past the Panthers, 2-1 on Senior Night in Fort Wayne, Ind.

With the home win, IPFW clinches a spot in the Summit League Tournament for the first time in program history. The Mastodons will take an 8-9-2 (3-2-1) record to Kansas City, Mo. for the first round of the tournament on Nov. 11. Eastern Illinois' season comes to an end with a 7-9-1 (1-4-1) mark.

The Panther offense pushed the tempo early in the opening frame, earning three quick corner kicks and firing four shots on goal. IPFW freshman goalkeeper Brandon Cloutier held his ground during the Eastern Illinois attack, picking up four saves.

The Mastodon frontline found its spark in the 17th minute, when it stormed down the field and made its presence known in Eastern Illinois territory. Senior Colin Helmrich dribbled into the Panther box, then delivered a pass to Max Touloute, who blasted a shot from eight yards out into the back of Panther goal to give the Mastodons a 1-0 lead. Touloute's score was his 12th goal in 2011.

The visitors made numerous attempts to even up the contest in the final period, out-shooting IPFW 12-3 in the second half. In the 87th minute, Eastern Illinois reached the scoreboard, when Zach Pierkarski knotted the score at 1-1 after beating Cloutier with a shot from six yards out inside the 'Don box.

Before the Panther defense had time to digest the goal, the IPFW offense once again made its way towards the Eastern Illinois net, and just 21 seconds after the visitors tied the score, the home team took the lead. Ackerman retrieved a short pass from Touloute on the far side of the field, then lofted a 25-yard attempt over the reaching hands of Panther goalkeeper Tyler Kelley to move IPFW ahead, 2-1.

With just under a minute left to play, Eastern Illinois tried to rush the ball downfield and even up the contest. However, the Mastodon defense, led by Cloutier, stopped the Panthers in their tracks, leading to a 2-1 Mastodon victory.

Helmrich, Ackerman and senior Liridon Qafleshi led the 'Dons with two shots each. Cloutier finished the contest with 10 saves, making a pair of game-saving stops with under 10 minutes left in regulation.

First round action of the 2011 Summit League Men's Soccer Tournament begins Friday, Nov. 11 in Kansas City, Mo. at the Stanley H. Durwood Soccer Stadium & Recreational Field. The tournament will air live on Fox College Sports, with semifinal play starting promptly at 6 p.m. EST.

~Dons~