The men’s soccer team had another impressive weekend at the ProRehab Aces Soccer Classic in Evansville, Ind.

Eastern went 1-0-1 with a 2-0 win Friday against Stony Brook and a 1-1 tie Sunday against Indiana-Purdue-Indianapolis.

In its last three contests, Eastern is now 2-0-1. Overall, the team is 2-2-2. Remember, Eastern has only played one home match so far this season.

It looks as though this early in the season, the men’s soccer team is starting to put things together.

The matches this past weekend were impressive to say the least. The shutout Friday was Eastern’s third of the season.

Junior forward Alex Harrison has not been the goal-scoring threat many thought he would be coming into the year, but he is contributing in a huge way. Harrison already has three assists.

Eastern coach Adam Howarth said the Panthers dominated the first half in the match against IUPUI but played sluggish in the second half, which is expected.

This is a young team with a lot of turnover.

The Panthers boast 11 new players from last year and it looks as though they are getting a hold of Division I soccer.

The Panthers have also been impressive against good teams. Stony Brook held No. 15 ranked team in the country, according to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America, St. Johns to a tie on Sept. 11.

Central Arkansas, a team Eastern beat 1-0 on Sept. 11, will join the Missouri Valley Conference next season.

Another important thing to look at is how the Panthers are playing in these contests. Through six matches they have shut out three teams.

Eastern only notched two shutouts last year. This season they have not allowed more than three goals in a single match.

Last season, they allowed more than two goals seven times.

Unlike last season, everyone on the roster is contributing. Twenty-one of 22 players have seen the field this year.

Men’s soccer may not have taken the jump into the elite status just yet, but right now it appears as though the players are buying into the program and hitting their stride.

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