Senior defender Chris Pearson is one of the Eastern men’s soccer players considered a veteran compared to the rest of his teammates.

Pearson – who started 37 matches over the past three seasons – is one of only five seniors on a team with nine new players.

So when he said this was the hardest preseason he has ever been part of, well, you should believe him.

“This year we have been lifting in-season, which is something we have never done before,” Pearson said. “This preseason has been all about pushing our bodies to the limits so we will be better down the stretch of games, something we struggled with last season.”

Junior forward Alex Harrison said the team worked on its fitness three times a day over a 4-5 day stretch. The fitness included running in the morning, middle of the day and the night.

The Panthers will test their fitness today as they begin their season against Valparaiso at 5 p.m. at Lakeside Field.

Eastern head coach Adam Howarth said the Crusaders play a similar style to Eastern in that they are a high-pressure team.

“(Valparaiso head coach) Mike Avery has instilled a great work ethic in his players,” Howarth said. “This should be a tough match just like it was last season.”

The game will be a welcome to many new players, who joined the team this season.

Howarth said all six freshmen could see action in the match. In the preseason, as many as seven new players started matches.

Pearson said this group of freshman is the best that has come in as a class since he has been playing at Eastern.

“They could not have come in more fit and ready to play,” Pearson said. “In the past, I felt like we had 12 or 13 guys who could come in and play. This season I feel like everyone on the roster could come in and contribute.”

Eastern lost its top goal scorer from last season in Brad Peters (nine goals) who has graduated and now works as a graduate assistant.

Harrison, who was the team’s second leading scorer last season with eight goals and seven assists, said he would like to improve his numbers from last season.

He said he does not feel a burden with Peters gone because of the quality of the younger players.

“Those guys came in and they were very confident and added something to our team and our training,” Harrison said. “Last season, myself and (Peters) shared some of the goal scoring opportunities with the offense. This season I expect some of the younger guys to step up. “

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

Freshman goalkeeper Shailer Thomas jumps to make a save during the exhibition victory against Butler University Aug. 25. The men’s soccer team opens its season at 5 p.m. today against Valparaiso at Lakeside Field. (Amir Prellberg/The Daily Eastern News)

(more…)