GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Opening their season undefeated against two top-15 nationally ranked opponents on the road, Davenport men's soccer is ready to host their first of two home matches this week after being ranked No. 6 in the NCAA Division II United Soccer Coaches Midwest Regional Poll.

Hard-fought matchups against No. 8 Maryville University and No. 15 Illinois Springfield would see the Panthers finish the pair of matches in a 2-2 scoreline. Sophomore forward Vitalis Takawira Jr. would be the first to score for DU this season in his Panther debut after a successful penalty kick, with sophomore forward Andrew Dykstra coming up with a big goal to knot it up against the Saints with just under 20 minutes remaining.

Graduate midfielder Eoin Broughan would be the man of the match for DU against UIS with two quick goals in the first 10 minutes that would ultimately help the Panthers walk out undefeated for the second time that week.

Redshirt senior goalkeeper Bobby Curran would prove to be just as effective with only four goals scored against him and 13 saves in total (.765 save percentage) as his efforts garnered him GLIAC Defensive Player of the Week in his debut season with the Panthers.

This week will feature DU hosting Tiffin and Northwood University.

Tiffin Matchup

The Dragons have yet to see any action this season with their matchup against the Panthers being the first of the season. DU will look to capitalize on this fact to bring the series matchup to a tie as Tiffin currently leads 2-1 and the last face off falling in favor of the opponent, 1-0, on neutral territory in Midland, MI. 

DU's first and only victory against them came in 2017 in an overtime thriller that finished 4-3 on the road.

Northwood Matchup

A far more familiar opponent, the Northwood series dates back all the way to the 2005 season for the Panthers, although a 12-year gap would ensue until the teams faced each other once more. Overall, DU has gotten the best of the Timberwolves as they hold a 7-4 series record, although their three-game win streak was snapped last season in a 2-1 loss on the road.

Northwood has also opened their season undefeated after a 4-2 victory over Northern Michigan in the season opener and a 3-3 draw on their home pitch against Purdue Northwest.

Junior forward Oliver Jarvis and junior defender Luke Kalavitz are two players to watch for DU as they lead their team in goals scored (two apiece) and in points tallied at five (Jarvis) and four (Kalavitz) respectively.

Live Coverage

Thursday, Sept. 7 vs Tiffin (7 PM) - Live Video (FloSports) - Live Stats
Saturday, Sept. 9 vs Northwood (7 PM) - Live Video (FloSports) - Live Stats