DRURY MEN'S SOCCER
#18 Drury Panthers (13-4-4 in 2016) vs Northeastern State RiverHawks (7-9-1 in 2016)
Thur., Aug. 31, 2017 | Harrison Stadium / Curry Sports Complex | Springfield, Mo.
 
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18^th ranked Panthers open 2017 season at home vs Northeastern St. 
Drury opens their 27^th season of intercollegiate men's soccer on Thursday as the Panthers host Northeastern State. The game is the season opener for both teams.
 
The Panthers are ranked 18^th in the NCAA-II preseason poll. Drury went 13-4-4 last year, 9-3-3 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference and advanced to the third round of NCAA-II tournament.
 
Thursday's game will mark the head coaching debut of Ben Taylor at Drury. Taylor, who played for the Panthers from 2007-10, was named head coach on Feb. 27 taking over for Ryan Swan. Swan accepted the head coaching position at Northern Illinois at the end of last season. Taylor spent six years as head coach at Iowa Central Community College and posted a coaching record of 76-36-8. The Dundee, Scotland native is Drury's fifth head coach in program history.
 
Drury returns 14 lettermen from last year's team including their co-leaders in goals scored. Charles Guelly and Ben Bruce both had eight goals last season and both are entering their senior year in 2017. Junior goalkeeper Nic Helin played every game for Drury last year posting a 13-4-4 record, along with a 1.09 goals against average and 93 saves.
 
Northeastern State went 7-9-1 last year, marking their first losing season since 2010. The RiverHawks are picked to finish third out of five teams in the MIAA based on their league's preseason coaches' poll. Northeastern State returns its two leading scorers from last year. Trevor Reed tallied seven goals and an assist while Joseph Garcia had two goals and 10 assists last season.
 
The Panthers won last year's meeting 2-0 in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. That match, which was the season opener for both teams, saw Drury score late in the first half on a goal from Antoine Vial. Charles Guelly then gave Drury a 2-0 lead in the 68^th minute. Guelly ended the game with a goal and an assist while Nic Helin stopped all six shots on goal from Northeastern State.
 
Drury leads the all-time series 5-1-0 over the RiverHawks.
 
The Panthers are home again on Sunday as they host Northwood (Mich.) for a 7:30 p.m. match at Harrison Stadium / Curry Sports Complex.
 
QUICK FACTS 
Stat Leaders
Drury (in 2016): Charles Guelly (8g, 4a, 20 pts), Ben Bruce (8g, 2a, 18 pts), Nic Helin (13-4-4, 1.09 GAA, .795 sv pct, 93 saves, 6 shutouts)
Northeastern St. (in 2016): Trevor Reed (7g, 1a, 15 pts), Joseph Garcia (2g, 10a, 14 pts), Ryan Davis (4-4-0, 1.82 GAA, .688 sv pct, 33 saves, 2 shutouts)
 
Head Coaches
Drury: Ben Taylor (1st year)
Northeastern State: Rob Czlonka (7^th year, 67-32-13)
 
Last game
Drury (season opener)
Northeastern St. (season opener)
 
Last Meeting
Drury 2 Northeastern St. 0 (Sept. 1, 2016 at NSU)
 
All-time series 
Drury 5-1-0
 
Next
Drury vs Northwood (Mich.) – Sunday, Sept. 3 – 7:30 p.m. – Harrison Stadium / Curry Sports Complex
 
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