The Eastern men’s soccer team lost its first overtime game of the season Friday after Central Arkansas’ Shafial Mason scored from 18 yards out to win 2-1.

The Panthers came back from a 1-0 deficit after a throw in by sophomore midfielder Jake Irwin went through Central Arkansas’ goalkeeper’s hands.

“It’s a bit of luck throwing it in,” Irwin said. “I’m aiming for our forwards going at the ball hoping they can hit it in, but it’s nice to get the goalie’s help every once in a while.”

The Panthers looked more tired than Central Arkansas by the second overtime, said Eastern head coach Adam Howarth.

Central Arkansas nearly doubled Eastern’s total shots in the game, 24-13, and dominated the two overtime periods by getting eight shots. Eastern only attempted two.

“It’s a tough way to lose,” Howarth said.

The Panthers had a few other shots in the game come close to scoring, no closer than a shot by sophomore midfielder Jake Brillhart that went off the left side of the crossbar.

But it was the goal by Mason that sealed the game for Central Arkansas and improved the team’s record to 5-1 this season. Eastern falls to 1-6, including senior goalkeeper Evan Turner who has lost all four games he’s been in net.

The first goal of the game came at the 72-minute mark when Daniel Sampedro scored on a shot on the ground that snuck just left beyond Turner’s reach.

Sampedro led the attack all game for Central Arkansas, taking eight shots, including four on target. Mason, who scored the game-winning goal, only took one shot.

Central Arkansas dominated the possession of the game, and Irwin said it was because the Panthers were outnumbered in the midfield.

“They were playing with four (players) in the midfield and we only had three,” Irwin said. “They were playing in little triangles so it was tough for us to get in there.”

Howarth said overtime is a tough way to lose, but his team will have to bounce back with a game coming up Tuesday at home.

“It was a heck of a goal,” Howarth said. “The guy hit a heck of a strike. If you’re going to lose to a team with that kind of a goal, it happens.”

The Panthers had nine players take shots in the game, led by sophomore forward Tayron Martin, who had three shots. Brillhart had two shots, including the one that hit the post in the second half. Freshman midfielder Anthony Meza came off the bench and had two shots.

The Panthers will host Loyola (Ill.) at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday at Lakeside Field and will be looking for their first win in five games.

Alex McNamee can be reached at 581-2812 or admcnamee@eiu.edu.