Starting six straight games on the road might be a burden for most teams, but men’s soccer loves playing away from home.

The team began the season this weekend with a pair of road victories after going 8-5-1 in road games or games at neutral sites last season.

“We love playing on the road,” senior defender Jeremy Maubach said. “We play much better on a flat surface.”

Eastern head coach Adam Howarth echoed these sentiments.

“The road is fantastic,” he said.

This weekend the team plays two road games on turf for the first time this season in Kansas City, Mo., at the University of Missouri-Kansas City Invitational. The Panthers will face Oral Roberts (1-1) on Friday and University of Missouri Kansas City (2-0) on Sunday.

The new terrain means the team will have to change its style.

“There is a faster pace on turf,” Howarth said. “We are going to have to play more to the feet and much more physical.”

Howarth is not worried about the different style the team will need to play, as he thinks his team has the talent and depth to do so.

“We can mix it up,” Howarth said. “We can knock it around and play physical.”

Team shows stingy defense

A staple of Panther soccer has been the team’s stingy defense. After allowing a quick goal two minutes into its first game against Belmont, the team did not allow another goal for the remaining 186 minutes of the Bradley Holiday Inn City Centre Classic during the weekend.

Maubach and sophomore defender Chris Pearson anchor the Panther defense.

Maubach thinks the defense has been successful for a number of reasons.

“We have quick backs, tight marking, and there is always good talk with the backs,” Maubach said.

Junior goalkeeper Mark Hansen finished the weekend with six saves on seven shots.

Howarth said the team can still improve after the solid performance this past weekend.

“We are defending well, but we have to attack more and not sit back,” Howarth said.

Despite allowing one goal last weekend, Howarth sets his goal much higher for next weekend’s contests.

“Our goal is two shutouts,” he said.

MVC Players of the Week

For stellar play at the Bradley Holiday Inn City Centre Classic during the past weekend, the Missouri Valley Conference named Pearson the Defensive Player of the Week while senior forward Mick Galeski received the Offensive Player of the Week.

The two were vital in the victories over the weekend.

Galeski had an assist in a Friday victory against Belmont, while recording his first season goal in the second half of the game against Lipscomb Saturday.

For his efforts, he was awarded MVP of the Bradley Holiday Inn City Centre Classic.

Pearson scored his first goal of the season in the second half to tie the game against the Belmont.

Pearson also anchored the Panther defense, which only allowed six shots on goal in two games and helped propel the Panthers to victory.

Pearson was one of three Panthers to be named to the all-tournament team.