Junior forward Gui Grangano scored two goals in the final 13 minutes, as EIU men’s soccer clawed back for a come-from-behind senior day victory 3-1 against Western Illinois Saturday at Lakeside Field.
With the score level at 1-1 in the 77th minute, senior forward Fabricio Roberti took control of the ball after it had taken a deflection and quickly drove at the goal before laying it off to Grangano who put it into the net with a first-time left-footed shot.
The Panthers (4-7-2, 3-3-2) had been knocking on the door for a long stretch of time, having multiple major chances leading up to the goal.
In the 83rd minute, the pair would team up again, scoring the third goal for Eastern and giving Grangano a brace, which is two goals in a game from one player.
The goal came from a throw-in that bounced off the head of a Leatherneck defender and bounced across the box before Grangano found the ball and smashed it into the net with his left foot. The shot flashed across the goalkeeper, who couldn’t reach it as the ball traveled into the bottom right corner of the goal.
“It’s very emotional, as it’s been a very tough year,” said Grangano. “To be rewarded by getting to be here scoring twice and getting the game winner and winning the three points, it’s just an amazing feeling.”
Western Illinois (3-10-4, 1-3-4) started the game early by taking a 1-0 lead when junior forward Xavier Gagnon scored in the sixth minute. Gagnon had a great pass from sophomore forward Ty Duax. Gagnon bolted past the Eastern defense before the ball was slotted into the net.
The first goal for Eastern came in the 41st minute. A ball had been sent in from a corner kick and bounced around the box before senior midfielder Yuki Nakamura hit the inside of the post which caused the ball to ricochet straight to fifth year senior midfielder Ben Griffis.
Griffis evened the game 1-1 going into the half.
The Panthers displayed a major improvement between the two halves. In the first half, they totaled four shots. In the second, they tripled that number, taking a total of 12.
Western Illinois through the game only shot five times, twice in the first half and three times in the second
The game was scrappy, with Eastern totaling 11 fouls throughout and Western getting 12. Four yellow cards were issued throughout the game. The teams split the yellows, getting two each.
Grangano earned one in the 28th minute, and redshirt senior defender Kento Tani got his in the 86th for Eastern.
It was senior day for Eastern. Before the game, they honored midfielder Casey Welage, defender Shuntaro Endo, midfielder Manuel Cordeiro, Nakamura, Griffis, Roberti and Tani.
“It’s a super honor to be here with everyone,” said Nakamura. “I’m super proud of our teams and teammates, and today and teammates made this day super amazing.”
This win means a lot for Eastern when it comes to the Ohio Valley Conference standings. These three points give the Panthers 11 for the season, which is tied for fourth place.
They currently sit four points clear of both Western Illinois and Southern Indiana, who occupy the final spot in the OVC tournament.
These points will also serve as a nice buffer for the team as they go into their last two games against Lindenwood and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.
“As long as we can put points on the table, it’s important for us,” said head coach Ruy Vaz. “We want to be in the playoffs. We want to fight.”
Eastern’s next game is against Lindenwood on Thursday away from home. The Panthers will then come back to play against SIUE for the final matchday of the season at Lakeside Field the following Sunday.
Emerson Reynolds can be reached at 581-2812 or at etreynolds@eiu.edu.
