LA GRANDE, Ore. – Eastern Oregon University Men's Soccer will officially get the 2021 season underway tomorrow with the first of three non-conference games. The first game for the Mountaineers will also be their home opener.
 
OPPONENT
Whitworth Pirates (0-0)
 
WHERE
La Grande, Ore. – Community Stadium
 
WHEN
Aug. 28 – 6 p.m.
 
Kickoff
• The Mountaineers are back in action for their first official match this weekend when they welcome the Whitworth University Pirates to Community Stadium.
• EOU's game against Whitworth is the first of three non-conference games for the 2021 season before Cascade Collegiate Conference play begins.
• Going into the 2021 season, the Mountaineers are preseason picked to finish eighth in the CCC after finishing fourth in East Division play last year.
 
How to Watch/Follow
• This weekend's match will be available to watch online on the Mountie Sports network at www.eousports.com/watch. Live stats for the contest will be available at www.eousports.com/watch.

EOU Athletics Spectator Policy
• Spectators will be allowed at sporting events, but masks will be required to be worn correctly (over mouth AND nose) at ALL indoor and outdoor events per state and local policy. This is subject to change at any time.
• Failure to comply with conference or institutional attendance policies will result in removal from venue and any further EOU and CCC contests.
• General Admission is allowed for both indoor and outdoor events and is on a first come, first serve basis. To see ticket prices for individual EOU sporting events and to purchase tickets, click here.
• Concessions will be available for outdoor EOU athletic events, but not indoor EOU athletic events.
• Students, faculty, and staff wishing to attend indoor EOU Athletic Events can do so for FREE by showcasing their EOU ID card.

Story Lines
• Head Coach Jessy Watson enters his second year leading EOU. He was named the bench boss ahead of the 2020 season after spending the previous five seasons as the top assistant.
• The Mountaineers contest against the Pirates will be their first official game of the 2021 season, while Whitworth will count it as an exhibition.
• This weekend's match will be the only one against a non-NAIA opponent as the Pirates compete at the NCAA Division III level.
• Of the Mountaineers three non-conference games during the regular season, this weekend's contest is the only one that will be played at home.
 
Quick Hits
Last Time Out
• EOU has one game under its belt, an exhibition that they played on the road against Whitman College. Despite the game not counting toward their record, the Mounties took down the Blues 3-1.
 
Previously Against Whitworth
• The Mountaineers last played the Pirates in 2019 and walked away 3-2 winners in overtime. EOU held a 2-1 lead at the half, but surrendered a second half goal to force OT. Javier Moran scored the golden goal to lift the Mounties to the win.
• All-time, EOU is 1-2 against Whitworth with the two losses coming in 2017 and 2018, respectively.
 
Opening Weekend
• In the young history of Mountaineer Men's Soccer, EOU is 3-3-0 in official season openers.
• When it comes to home openers, the Mountaineers are still searching for their first win in program history. They are 0-5-1 in six seasons.
 
Strength in Numbers
• The Mountaineers have 34 players on this year's squad with an even split of 17 returners and 17 newcomers.
• 14 student-athletes make up the upperclassman list for the Mountaineers. Five starters are back as well from the 2020 campaign.
• Of the 17 newcomers in the 2021 class, there are 12 that come in as true freshmen.
 
Scouting the Competition
Whitworth Pirates
• The Pirates first contest of the year will be against the Mountaineers but it will not count toward the official record as they are counting the game as an exhibition.
• Last season, Whitworth went 3-7-1 in the spring. Experience will lead the Pirates in 2021 as they have over 12 players back from the 2019 and 2020 seasons.
• Up front, the Forwards boast six experienced players led by Christian Pumpelly, Jaime Rodriguez and Eric Shaporda. The junior trio saw limited action in 2020, but will expect to take on bigger roles in 2021.
• Also back at the Forward position is Dominic Gusman. Last season he led the Pirates in scoring with three goals and tallied two assists for eight points.
• Jose Bautista will look to lead the defense for Whitworth in what will be his fifth season with the program. He will have help with the help of four other players who played in nearly every match in 2020.
• In net, Bo Broyles will likely be the man to get the starting nod. He has led the Pirates in minutes played in each of the last two seasons.
 
Up Next
• EOU will hit the road for its next two contests to wrap up non-conference play. Both contests will be played in California as the Mountaineers will take on The Master's University and Hope International University.
• First up for EOU will be the Mustangs of The Master's. The two teams will square off on Thursday, Sept. 2 at 4 p.m. PT. EOU will then face off against Hope International on Saturday, Sept. 4 at 12 p.m. PT.

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