While the rest of Eastern is celebrating Homecoming weekend in Charleston, the men’s soccer team will be competing in a non-conference match in Kalamazoo, Mi.

The match is essentially meaningless at this point, as far as making any post season tournaments is concerned. The match does keep the Panthers rolling and gives them a chance to play more players than the usual rotation.

This will certainly help in the important Summit League matches coming up. The more experience the bench players get, the more prepared the team is in case disaster strikes and a player gets injured or is issued a red card.

I think most of the players and coaches would love to be on campus celebrating Homecoming with the rest of the athletic teams. Their game would have higher attendance and the Panthers are extremely fun to watch at home.

This season, Eastern has a 2-0-1 record at Lakeside Field. Every game has been exciting and the Panthers do not like to disappoint their home fans.

There are promotions at every game and the team is very grateful for every fan that comes in support.

There is no doubt in my mind that a men’s soccer match could be one of the highlights of Homecoming weekend, but not this year. Instead the Panthers find themselves on a five-hour bus ride for a non-conference match.

Sure, the team can work out some kinks and maybe try some new strategies, but this match offers no positional-advantage going in to the final weeks of the regular season.

Eastern is currently ranked in a tie for fourth in the Summit League standings. The top four teams make the tournament at the end of the regular season.

With two conference matches left, the Panther trail the leaders by two points. With two wins the Panthers will make the tournament.

Eastern really needs to focus if it wants to accomplish its goal of making the tournament, there is no need to panic now because the Panthers are in good shape. But, if they lose concentration, they could find themselves missing the tournament.

I think they will make the tournament and have a serious shot at competing for a Summit League championship. Which is why I think it is a shame that alumni do not get to see a good and very fun team on this weekend.

Rob Mortell can be reached at 581-2812 or at rdmortell@eiu.edu.