Last season when a team played the Eastern men’s soccer team, there was plenty of firepower up front to have opposing defenses worried.

Forwards Brad Peters and Alex Harrison torched opposing defenses throughout the season as they combined for nine and eight goals, respectively.

The second a team stepped foot on the pitch, its defense would have to identify No. 10 (Peters) and No. 7 (Harrison) immediately.

This season, Harrison will not have Peters by his side.

With Peters graduated, the Panthers may need him to contribute right away and take over as the main threat for scoring goals.

In the preseason, Harrison picked up right where he left off last season.

He scored three goals in three preseason games, including a free kick against St. Xavier (Chicago), and scored twice in the intersquad game.

He almost added another goal in the preseason finale against Butler, but the ball hit the post on an open net.

This season looks prime to the coming out party for the 6-foot-3 junior forward.

After scoring five goals his freshman season, Harrison came back last year and netted eight.

He improved his four assists from 2007 to seven in 2008.

With two years of collegiate soccer under his belt, one can imagine what he will be able to do this season.

He said the preseason fitness training was grueling and put him into fantastic shape.

Harrison said he was ready for the year without Peters and said each season he wants to get better and be a more productive member of the team.

He said he knows the younger players on the team will step up and help with the offense as he did with Peters a year ago.

The young players on Eastern should step up sooner rather than later, but no one knows how long it will take because many have never played collegiate soccer before.

Senior defender Chris Pearson said this was the best group of newcomers he has seen in his three years at Eastern. If that group of freshmen follow through with success this season, offense may not take a huge hit with the departure of Peters.

There is no doubt in my mind Harrison will have another terrific year and improve his play during 2009 season.

This year, teams will not see No. 10, but will still have trouble trying to stop No. 7.

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