The preseason poll for the Missouri Valley Conference men’s soccer came out this week, and it did not look too good for the Panthers.

Eastern was voted by the coaches to finish last in the league after finishing 0-5 in conference play last season.

On top of that, 10 new players will play for the Panthers this season. But do not worry Panther fans, champions are not chosen before the season starts.

Last season, Missouri State was picked in the same spot Eastern was the year before. The Golden Bears shocked the rest of the league with a solid 3-1-1 record in conference play, including a tie against Creighton, who not only won the conference, but was a fixture in the top 10 in the national polls.

Part of the reason the Panthers were picked to finish last was the unknown factor for this season. In the Panthers preseason opener against St. Xavier (Chicago), Eastern started seven players who were not on the roster last season.

No one knows the impact of the fresh faces, but this young group will get the opportunity to play a number of games together before the conference schedule.

Another benefit for the Panthers will be the round robin format the MVC has adopted this season. Instead of just one game against each conference foe, each team will play them twice once away and once at home.

This should benefit Eastern because it has been favorable at home the past two seasons. The current senior class has compiled a 9-6-3 record at Lakeside Field over the past three seasons.

Finally, Eastern does have quality players with experience and talent returning this season.

Junior forward Alex Harrison will most likely be the Panthers main scoring threat following a breakthrough year last season. Harrison was second on the team with eight goals and first with seven assists.

Already in the exhibition season, Harrison has netted three goals in two games.

Senior defender Chris Pearson, who was hampered with a leg injury for some of last season, should be back to 100 percent to help anchor the backline with senior Jeff Kupiec.

Sophomores Ryan Child and Mike Picinich should be solid for the Panthers in the middle after impressive freshman campaigns.

So while the Panthers may be picked to finish last in the preseason poll, the team could turn a few heads before the season is over.

There may be some rough patches along the way, but I would not sleep on the Panthers.

Dan Cusack can be reached at 581-7944 or at dscusack@eiu.edu.