Eastern has out shot its five Missouri Valley Conference opponents 88 to 65 this season. Despite that advantage, the Panthers have a 1-3-1-conference record and were outscored six to four in those five games.

Out shooting their opponents is a trend that has continued all season.

Only three of Eastern’s opponents, Detroit, Wisconsin-Green Bay and Bradley, have been able to outshoot the Panthers this season. As a whole, the Panthers have taken 99 more shots this season than their opponents, 272 to 173, the most shots of any team in the MVC.

However, that huge advantage has translated into merely eight more goals than their foes; 23 goals rank the Panthers third in the conference.

Usually when statistics like those appear, it means a team is just firing the ball recklessly and shots are routinely sailing wide or over the top of the net. That is not the case with the Panthers. Eastern has put 118 of its 272 shots on goal. This equates to a 43 percent shots on goal percentage.

In comparison, the Panthers’ opponents have located just 34 percent of their shots on goal.

Bradley, Western Kentucky and Missouri State goalies have all recorded more than 60 saves this season. Missouri State goalkeeper, junior Lance Parker, has been one of the best goalies in the league this season. He ranked fourth nationally in goals against average, .461, before being scored on twice against Drake Saturday afternoon.

It was the first time he had given up more than one goal all season.

Eastern’s two goalies, sophomore Mark Hansen and senior Paul Jennison, have combined for just 44 saves this season, last in the conference. The Panthers stout defense could be responsible for that low amount, as they have contributed to five shutouts, which has Eastern tied for third in the conference.

Creighton leads the league in shutouts with eight, seven of them coming with junior Matt Allen in goal. Allen earned MVC defensive player of the week honors for his three save effort last week against Evansville. His .77 GAA on the season is ranked 25th in the nation.

MVC Tournament

Regardless of Saturday’s outcome against Drake, Eastern knows it has a place reserved in the MVC tournament.

Western Kentucky, which lost its third conference game over the weekend, pushing its conference record to 0-3-2, will be the lone team to not make an appearance at the tournament. Despite their security in the tournament, the Panthers still would like a win against Drake. A win Saturday, or an Evansville loss, will give Eastern the fifth seed in the tournament. A loss and an Evansville win will give the Panthers the sixth seed and an opening round game with the third-place team. Right now, Missouri State is in third place in the conference.

Scoring leader

Sophomore Brad Peters has the most goals scored in the conference with nine. He also leads the team in four other categories.

Peters has a sizable lead in points against any other player in the conference. He has 21 points, 18 from his nine goals and three points from his three assists. The 21 points are five more than Evansville junior forwards Corey Elenio and Ian MacAuley, who are tied for second.

Peters also leads the conference in goals per game, points per game and game-winning goals.