Eastern’s men’s soccer team played one of its best offensive matches of the season against Western Michigan, winning 3-1.

The Panthers seem to be hitting their stride at the right time. With only two Summit League Matches the Panthers have to win at least one to have a chance at making the postseason tournament.

In the last four matches, Eastern is 3-1, losing only to Summit League rival University of Missouri at Kansas City. And in those four games the Panthers have scored seven goals.

This shows that the offensive firepower head coach Adam Howarth brought in this off-season is showing its true potential.

Eastern has a young teamn so there are going to be ups and downs, but it is extremely talented. TopDrawerSoccer.com said that three of the Panthers freshmen are already amongst the 20 best players in the Summit League.

This is huge for the men’s soccer program. The team has struggled in recent years and this recruiting class is already turning that trend around.

These freshmen have continued to get better as the season has progressed and that is good news.

I have been saying all season that I feel like Eastern has a real shot at a Summit League Championship.

The Panthers are currently in fifth place in conference; however, they only trail the second place teams by three points, which means a win a puts the Panthers in a tie for second.

The Panthers will almost surely make the tournament if they win both matches, and I am sure that is what Howarth is telling his team. Do not let the team fate be decided by another team go out and win both matches.

Eastern faces last place Oakland and fourth place Indiana University-Purdue University at Fort Wayne. Two opponents I believe that Panthers should beat.

And as I have said before, the tournament is any ones to win and the Panthers keep getting better so why can’t they win a championship.

Rob Mortell can

be reached at 581-7944

or at rdmortell@eiu.edu.