Mastodons Aim to Get Back to Winning Ways

FORT WAYNE, Ind. – The IPFW men's soccer team returns home for the first time since September 13 as the Mastodons continue their Summit League march. The Blue and White take on Eastern Illinois for its second league match of the season on October 10 at 7 p.m.

Who: Eastern Illinois Panthers
When: Saturday, October 7 | 7 p.m.
Where: Hefner Soccer Complex | Fort Wayne, Ind.
All-Time Series: Eastern Illinois leads the all-time series 9-4-0
Last Meeting: IPFW 0 | Eastern Illinois 2 | October 26, 2014 | Fort Wayne, Ind.
Live Stats: HERE
Live Video: HERE

Scouting the Mastodons

The Mastodon men's soccer aims to get back to its winning ways as they return home for the first match since September 13. Austin West and Jose Rodriguez lead the Mastodons with three goals, while Zach Tom has earned six points off two goals and two assists. Raphael Kotzock has spent the majority of time in net, splitting a shutout with Jorge Trujillo against Asbury, while earning 27 saves on the year.

Scouting the Panthers

Eastern Illinois enters the match after falling at Missouri State, 0-3, and dropping its last five matches. The Panthers are 2-7-0 with wins over Lipscomb and Robert Morris. EIU fell in its only previous Summit League match of the year, when the Panthers dropped a 1-2 outing against Oral Roberts. Tyler Oliver leads Eastern Illinois with seven points, including three goals. Mike Novotny has seen most of the time in net, earning a 3.01 goals against average and 40 saves.

Series History

Eastern Illinois leads the all-time series 9-4, including a 2-0 victory in the previous meeting, however, IPFW has won the previous three matches played in Fort Wayne. Since the Panthers joined the Summit League in 2011, both teams have split the series, as each team has won their respective home matches.

Most Recent Meeting

The Mastodons fought hard, but came up short, 0-2, at Eastern Illinois after the Panthers scored two opening half goals. Raphael Kotzock made three saves, as former 'Don Cody Schweitzer earned two, while IPFW combined for nine shots during the match, placing four on goal.

Last Time Out

The Blue and White faced a difficult opening Summit League match as the Mastodons fell at (RV) Omaha on October 3. Despite placing seven shots on goal, the 'Dons were unable to get past the Mavs' goalkeeper, as Omaha earned the 3-0 win.

Looking Ahead

IPFW returns for its second trip to Cincinnati as the 'Dons face the Bearcats. The Mastodons fell in the only previous meeting, 0-5, last year in Fort Wayne.

~ Feel the Rumble ~

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Players Mentioned

Raphael Kotzock

Jose Rodriguez

Cody Schweitzer

Zach Tom

Jorge Trujillo

Austin West

Purdue University Fort Wayne Athletics