One down, two to go.

Eastern convincingly won its first round game Wednesday against Missouri State and is only two wins away from winning the Missouri Valley Conference tournament and earning an automatic big to the NCAA tournament.

But there is a big roadblock in the way.

Awaiting the Panthers at 5 p.m. today at Bradley’s Shea Stadium will be No. 21-ranked Creighton, the No. 2 seed in the tournament and the co-regular season conference champion.

“They’re strong all over the field,” said Eastern head coach Adam Howarth. “But if we play to our maximum potential we match up well with them.”

Eastern lost 1-0 to Creighton during the regular season on Oct. 14 at Lakeside Field but the score did not accurately reflect what happened during the game.

The Panthers gave up an early goal in just the fourth minute of the game to freshman Rodrigo Faria. But Eastern took control of the game soon afterward. The Panthers played aggressively and dominated the flow of the game. The Panthers’ defense held player-of-the-year candidate, senior forward Michael Kraus, to just one shot on goal and without six saves from Bluejay keeper Nathan Gibson, Eastern would have won.

“(Eastern) is certainly a much-improved team over last year,” said Creighton head coach Bob Warming. “They are fit and motivated. They were a really good opponent. We didn’t get to see their superstar (Brad Peters). He’s a handful.”

Sophomore striker and MVC scoring leader Brad Peters was in street clothes during Eastern’s regular season game against Creighton because of the red card he received the game before at Bradley after arguing with referees. Senior midfielder Mike Comiskey also earned a red card at Bradley and was relegated to the bench against Creighton.

Warming called Peters the “perfect guy” for Eastern’s 4-5-1 playing formation.

Warming said Peters, as the lone striker, can sit between the defense’s two center-backs and take advantage of a good pass or loose ball, like he did against Missouri State when he scored two goals on breakaway runs at the net.

Peters’ two goals, along with freshman defender Chris Pearson’s first goal of the season, fired up the Panthers.

“The guys are very confident now (after the win),” Howarth said. “We need to look ahead and keep on going. We can’t be content with winning one (tournament) game.”

Warming’s squad is experienced in tournament play and the coach, with more than 300 career victories, thinks that is a big bonus for his team.

“We’ve been here before and we’ve been successful,” Warming said. “Confidence comes with that.”