The men’s soccer team was scheduled to play Creighton at 7 p.m. Saturday in Omaha, Neb., but mother nature had other intentions.

For the first time in at least four years, the Panthers game was postponed until another date.

When Eastern awoke in its hotel Saturday morning, about three inches of snow had blanketed Omaha with temperatures in the 20s.

The Panthers went to the field as scheduled and learned that the match would be postponed until the next day.

Eastern head coach Adam Howarth said even though the field could be cleared, they worried the field would be too icy to play on.

Eastern senior defender Chirs Pearson said the team went and practiced at an indoor facility in the area and did some pool work to stay loose.

“It was difficult because we had to sit around for awhile and wait for the match,” Pearson said. “But we knew that we had to stay focused.”

Howarth said alumni were in the area and helped practice with the Panthers.

The match was played at 1 p.m. the next day at Creighton.

Pearson said although it was cold, in the high 20s and windy, the field was okay to play on Sunday.

“They must have plowed it off because there was no snow on the field,” Pearson said.

“We were worried the field would be icy, but it was not.”

A Tale of Two Matches

The Eastern men’s soccer team played two solid matches and seemed to be finding form when they traveled to Creighton this weekend, but that is where things went downhill.

The Panthers allowed three first half goals in a 5-1 loss to the Bluejays Sunday.

Eastern’s lone score was by junior forward Alex Harrison on a free kick in the 47th minute.

“I think some guys went out there and they were scared,” Pearson said. “I think we had four or five guys that went out there and did a great job. Everyone else did not play well. We are a team that has good players, but we need all 11 guys to go out there and play well.”

Howarth said he didn’t think his team even got off of the bus.

“It was uncharacteristic of how we have been playing so far this season,” Howarth said. “It was frustrating because we had been playing well. In order to win we have to make sure we show up.”

This match came after two impressive matches by the Panthers.

Eastern defeated Missouri State 3-0 Oct. 4 and lost a tough road match to Evansville 2-1 after being tied with the Purple Aces for most of the match.

“I think (the Missouri State) match was the best that we have played all season,” Pearson said. “Every individual did a great job and worked hard, which was evident by the scoreboard. I thought we also played well against Evansville, but we got unlucky in that match.”

Pearson said right now parody is the story of the Missouri Valley Conference.

“We went out and beat that Missouri State, which already beat Creighton,” Pearson said. “That is how the league is right now, everyone is beating everyone.”

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