The Eastern Illinois Panthers men's soccer team represents Eastern Illinois University (EIU) as a member of the Ohio Valley Conference in NCAA Division I soccer. The Panthers play their home matches at Lakeside Soccer Field located directly south of the Lantz Arena complex on the EIU campus in Charleston, Illinois.
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Conference membership
Eastern Illinois is currently a full member of the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC), which did not sponsor men's soccer until the 2023 season. Before the OVC launched its men's soccer league, EIU was an associate member of the Summit League for men's soccer, and remains an associate of that conference in men's and women's swimming & diving.
In 1982, EIU was one of the eight charter members of the Association of Mid-Continent Universities (AMCU) which changed its name to the Mid-Continent Conference (Mid-Con) in 1989 and became the Summit League in 2007. The Panthers played soccer in the AMCU/Mid-Con until leaving for membership in the OVC in 1996. Upon joining the OVC, EIU also became an affiliate member of the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) for men's soccer. The Panthers swimming & diving teams had returned to the Mid-Con in 1996; in fall 2011, EIU cut its membership to only two conferences as the men's soccer team returned to what is now the Summit League.
In March 2023, the OVC announced that it would start a men's soccer league in the 2023 season, allowing EIU to align men's soccer with the bulk of its other sports,
Players
Roster
As of 18 Sep 2024
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Retired numbers
Notes
Notable former players
Shady Omar, forward for the Egyptian Second Division A
Mike Novotny, Goalkeeper for Chicago House AC
Schellas Hyndman, former head coach of soccer's FC Dallas
Matt Bobo, former North American Soccer League player
John Baretta, former North American Soccer League goalkeeper
George Gorleku, former Major Indoor Soccer League (1978–92) player
Phil Vendredi, former center forward (1992–1994) player and GPA honoree.
LeBaron Hollimon, former National Professional Soccer League (1984–2001) player
Damien Kelly, former National Professional Soccer League (1984–2001) player
Mark Simpson, former goalkeeper and assistant coach for D.C. United
Jason Thompson, former player for D.C. United
Glen Tourville, former Major Indoor Soccer League (1978–92) player
Season results
References: