Senior defender Chris Pearson said the Eastern men’s soccer team has a simple mindset going into today’s match against Drake.

Just play their own game.

“Last time we traveled to Drake, I think we worried a little bit too much on stopping them,” Pearson said. “I think this time we have proven ourself and shown they need to stop us.”

The Panthers (5-5-2, 2-3 Missouri Valley Conference) will travel to Des Moines, Iowa, at 7 p.m. today to take on the Bulldogs (8-4, 3-1-1 in the MVC). Eastern is coming off a huge conference victory against Bradley Sunday, where the 1-0 victory snapped the Panthers’ 10-match winless streak against the Braves.

Pearson said Drake could be direct at times, but likes to mix up their style of play.

“We know it is going to be a tough game and that they will be tough on defense,” Pearson said.

Eastern head coach Adam Howarth said they would play a traditional 4-4-2 formation.

“They are going to be big and strong,” Howarth said. “They are very athletic getting the ball up to their key striker (senior) Garrett Webb.”

Howarth said the Bulldogs like to get the ball up to Webb and play the offense through him.

Webb is one of three Bulldogs in the top 10 in the conference for points.

He is ranked in a tie for sixth with 12 points with four goals and four assists.

Sophomore midfielder Thomas Ostrander is tied with Webb for a team-high four goals, while also notching two assists. Junior midfielder Matt Kuhn is tied with Ostrander with 10 points with three goals and four assists. Drake enters the match ranked 20th in the nation in the NCAA men’s soccer RPI and 24th in the nation by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America.

The Bulldogs were ranked No. 19 last week, but lost to Missouri State at home 2-1.

Howarth said he welcomes playing another nationally ranked opponent.

“Anything can happen in this conference as you have seen with most games,” Howarth said. “It will be a tough game especially at their home, but I think we will be right there with them.”

The Panthers left for the match Tuesday and had a light pool session last night to prepare for today’s match. Pearson said they are still recovering from a tough match Sunday and will have a light practice this morning.

With five matches remaining in the conference, Eastern is three points behind Drake.

A win for Eastern would put them in a tie with the Bulldogs for fourth place. Creighton is atop the conference with a 3-2-2 conference record with 11 points through seven matches.

This will be the first of a three match in six-day stretch for the Panthers. Eastern will host Creighton at 2 p.m. Saturday and Asbury College (Ky.) at 3 p.m. Monday. Both will take place at Lakeside Field.

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

Senior midfielder Evan Philpott fights for the ball against Bradley freshman defender Obinna Ekwueme during the match Sunday against Bradley at Lakeside Field. Philpott scored the lone goal as the Panthers won 1-0 and snapped their 10-match winless streak

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