The Eastern men’s soccer team closed out its 2011 season on the road with a 2-1 loss on the road against Indiana University-Purdue University-Fort Wayne.

The loss has the Panthers finishing with an overall record of 7-9-1 and a record of 1-4-1 in the Summit League.

Panthers out-shoot, still come up short

The Panthers took a total of 20 shots in the game, out-shooting the Mastodons 20-8, but only one of those shots was able to find the back of the net for Eastern.

Eastern also out-shot IPFW in shots on goal, 11-3.

The Panthers also took more second half shots, holding the 12-3 advantage.

As a team, the Panthers average 13.71 shots per game, which ranks third in the Summit League.

The Mastodons, however, average 12.11 shots per game, despite playing in two more matches than the Panthers.

The Mastodons rank fourth in the Summit League, one spot behind the Panthers.

The Panthers also managed more corner kicks than the Mastodons, totaling six to only one for IPFW.

Team unable to stop top national player

Senior Max Touloute of IPFW ranks among the nation’s best in points per game, goals per game and assists per game.

He had one goal in the game against the Panthers and is the conference leader in shots, shots per game, points, points per game, goals, goals per game, assists and assists per game.

His 33 points this season are the most by any Summit League player since the 1996 season.

Touloute has been named Summit League Offensive Player of the Week a conference record four time this season.

He is this week’s conference offensive player of the week, as well.

Around the Summit League

Freshman defender Matt DeLeon of Oakland was named Summit League Defender of the Week for his performance in the Golden Grizzlies’ 2-0 win over IUPUI. 

The shutout win, the third of the season for Oakland, helped boost the team into the post-season tournament.

The Summit League tournament will begin on Friday, with Oral Roberts facing IPFW, which is making its first appearance in the tournament in school history.

Oral Roberts has an overall record of 6-10-1, while also a conference record of 3-2-1.

IPFW holds a record of 8-9-2 overall, while also holding a conference record of 3-2-1.

The second match will feature Oakland against Western Illinois, which enters the tournament as the top team. The Leathernecks hold an overall record of 11-6-1, with a 4-2-0 record in the Summit League. Oakland is 6-11-1 overall, while 3-3-0 in conference.

Dominic Renzetti can be reached at 581-7942 or dcrenzetti@eiu.edu.