The Panthers are looking to build on the momentum from their first win on Wednesday as they head to Chicago to take on DePaul, Saturday at 4 p.m.

The two teams do not have much history. Eastern has won the only two contests the teams have played.

DePaul comes in with a record of 2-2-1. They tied Western Illinois 1-1, a team the Panthers beat on Wednesday 1-0. DePaul has also lost to fellow Missouri Valley Conference team Creighton 2-0 earlier this season.

The Panthers have struggled on the road this season.

They are 0-3 in three roads games and 1-0 in their only home game.

Eastern coach Adam Howarth said the team should be able to carry the momentum from their first win to DePaul.

“I certainly hope we can carry the momentum over,” Howarth said. “We definitely got the monkey off our back. It’s always good to get that first win.”

Junior midfielder Zach Piekarski said the team should be able to play well if they play at the same intensity they did on Wednesday.

“If we play at this intensity,” Piekarski said. “We will win more games.”

The Blue Demons are a team that likes to maintain possession of the ball as long as possible. Howarth said the Panthers should be successful against them.

“DePaul is a very good possession oriented team, they like to knock the ball around a bit,” Howarth said. “They keep the ball very well. We will definitely try and take it to them.”

The Panthers lost senior midfielder Darby Kehoe 11 minutes into the game against Western.

There is no update yet on the extent of the injury but it appeared to be a knee injury.

“We are not exactly sure yet, we are checking everything out but it’s a pretty serious injury so we are just going to have to wait and see what the word is on it,” Howarth said.

Eastern finally got on the scoreboard against Western on the game-winning goal by Piekarski.

The Panthers are still looking for the offense to catch up to the defense that has played well this season giving up just five goals in four games.

The offense has just one goal in those five games. The Panthers still need to improve offensively if they are going to compete in the MVC this season.

“We still need to improve from an offensive stand point, I think we have done a pretty good job defensively but it’s always nice to score more goals,” Howarth said.

Junior defenseman Graham Lynch said the team has struggled on offense but he feels they will be able to improve.

“Tactically in the game we are just going to keep doing what we are doing,” Lynch said. “I think we will get somewhere good.”

Eastern hopes, through practice and momentum, both phases of their game will perform well and they get their first road win of the year.

Rob Mortell can be reached at 581-7944 or at rdmortell@eiu.edu

Freshman midfielder/forward Cameron Lauchner and junior midfielder Ryan Child congratulate junior defender Zach Piekarski Wednesday on Lakeside Field. Piekarski scored the only goal of either team during Eastern’s game against Western Illinois University

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