Despite the early-season struggles of the Eastern women’s soccer team, head coach Tim Nowak remains confident his team has been improving with every match.

While the Panthers have yet to win one match and have only scored one goal through their first seven matches, Nowak said he believes the team is making strides and learning throughout the season.

That having been said, it is clear that the burden of getting this team back on track lies on the shoulders of the Panthers’ three lone seniors: forward Pam Melinauskas, and defenders Ashley Slota and Lindsey Wilkening.

While talking to Nowak and the players as the season has progressed, the unifying theme has remained the same. Nowak stresses defense to create offense and playing together as a team for 90 minutes.

As cliché as it may sound, it’s true. And most importantly, the players have seemed to buy into that theory. Nowak made a point to address the play of his three seniors after the Panthers’ 2-0 loss to Ball State on Friday.

“I thought our seniors really, really stepped up today and showed what it means to compete at this level,” Nowak said. “They’re setting a good example. I hope our younger players recognize that leadership.”

That leadership is what the Panthers have to rely on during the rest of the season.

The thought of a team that has started its season 0-6-1 competing for any kind of championship may seem ridiculous, but Nowak said he believes the tough early-season competition the team has faced will prepare them for Ohio Valley Conference play.

He said he thinks the team still has what it takes to win an OVC Championship.

To do so, however, will require the right frame of mind from the Panthers.

One thing’s for sure; the seniors have bought into Nowak’s mentality.

But it’s not limited solely to the players that have been on the team for several years. The younger players have as well.

The team created T-shirts that say “All hands on deck” on the back of them, and freshman forward Jessica Blake said it symbolizes the idea of not playing as individuals.

“It means that we’re all in this together,” Blake said.

“Instead of playing as individuals we all play as a team, and if we do that we have more chances to win.”

It’s clear the Panthers have the right mentality to win.

Now, they just need to translate that mentality into success on the field.

With the Sept. 26 OVC-opener against Tennessee Martin looming, it’s now or never.

Collin Whitchurch can be reached at 581-7942 or atcfwhitchurch@eiu.edu.