Moon Township, Pa. – The Robert Morris University men's soccer team certainly had the better opportunities Sunday afternoon, but it was the Eastern Illinois Panthers who came out on top of a non-conference game at North Athletic Complex, 2-1, in overtime. The loss is the first of the season for the Colonials who now own a 3-1 record. The Panthers even their season mark at 2-2.
 
In overtime, both teams had chances to walk away with victory, and the Panthers nearly did so shortly after the extra session began. Dribbling through the Colonials box, Tyler Oliver was dispossessed by Bennett Jull to erase that chance. Neco Brett then had a look on net in the 93rd minute from 12 yards, but his shot skipped wide of the right post.
 
The next chance would not escape Eastern Illinois as it found space through the midfield and attacked with speed in the 98th minute. Justin Oliver fought off one tackle, then slipped a pass diagonally through the defense, where his brother Tyler Oliver fired a shot inside the right post to give the Panthers the victory, 2-1.
 
For much of the first half, the Colonials controlled possession and the scoring chances. Eastern Illinois keeper Mike Novotny was up to task throughout the day, however, thwarting several golden scoring plays. He made a save on Lucas Puntillo in the eighth minute, then was there again in the 26th minute with back-to-back saves on point-blank shots from Brett and Jake Cooper.
 
Eastern Illinois followed Cooper's opportunity by quickly counter attacking as Tyler Oliver used his speed to get to the endline on the right side of the goal. A square pass gave Tony Meza a shot from 12 yards, but his effort went wide of the far post. Novotny came to the rescue again in the 36th minute, stretching to his left to parry aside a curling shot that came off a Brett free kick.
 
The Panthers would get on the board in the 38th minute by pressuring down the right side and getting control inside the Colonials box. A clearance attempt by the defense was held in and Meza made Robert Morris pay with a low, left-footed shot inside the left post from 18 yards out. The score remained 1-0 through halftime.
 
Puntillo found the equalizing goal in the 56th minute. An innocuous play in the midfield turned into a score as the freshman showed off his tremendous right foot. Puntillo caught the Eastern Illinois keeper with a blast from 25 yards, a shot from the left wing that dipped and bounced inside the near post to tie the game.
 
Robert Morris owned a 16-9 advantage in shots and took seven corner kicks in comparison to four for the Panthers. Novotny finished with seven saves while the Colonials Brenden Alfery was credited with two stops.
 
The Colonials return to action Friday, Sept. 11, taking on host Marshall University at 7:30 p.m. as part of the Veteran's Memorial Cup in Huntingdon, W.Va.