The Panthers are preparing for what should be their most physical opponents so far.

At least that’s what junior captain Mick Galeski said.

“It’s going to be a hard physical battle and we need to play as a unit,” he said. “Fitness is our biggest issue.”

Eastern (3-1-0) travels to Indiana-Purdue University at Fort Wayne on Friday to take on a team that has struggled to an 0-4-1 start, but has “been (tough) in every game,” said head coach Adam Howarth.

They will then play Loyola (Chicago) at Lakeside Field on Sunday.

The game on Friday will be the Mastodons’ first game at home.

“They’re going to be ready and pumped for their (home) opener,” Howarth said.

It will be the first meeting between the schools since IPFW beat the Panthers 4-1 in 2003 at Lakeside Field.

Loyola is coming off a 3-0 loss against Davidson in which the Ramblers only had two shots on goal.

They are 1-4-0 and have three losses by one goal so far this season.

A key to Eastern’s success this weekend will be starting off the games strong and not flat-footed, Howarth said.

“We want to come out with confidence (to) take over in the first 15 min,” said Howarth.

Eastern must also keep up a high-pressure game and capitalize on turnovers.

“We must carry-on what we have been doing,” said Galeski.

The men’s team has been honoring their seniors all season.

This Sunday will be Phil Clemmer day.

The fifth-year senior has started the last 11 matches for the Panthers going back to last season.

Eastern will be without the services of assistant coach Dino Raso at Fort Wayne.

Raso received a red card at the team’s last match against Missouri-Kansas City on Sunday for arguing with the referee.

He said he might still travel with the team.

The red card was the first in his 13-year coaching career.