During Sunday’s 3-0 loss against Southern Illinois Edwardsville, the Eastern women’s soccer team allowed two goals within the final 20 minutes.

What may be a solution to their fatigue at the end of the game is substituting players more often.  At the end of the first half, six players not including the goalkeeper played all 45 minutes with only five substitutions whereas SIUE had only two players play all 45 minutes.

By the end of the game, SIUE had a total of 12 players substitutions in from the bench compared to the Panthers’ six substitutions.  Sophomore Lindsey Carlson is a defender who played all 45 minutes in the first half.

“Unfortunately, in both Friday and (Sunday’s) game we just haven’t been able to finish our chances in front of net or even making enough of those attacking chances.  We need to work on being composed for the full 90 minutes,” Carlson said.

The forwards are the players who sub in and out the most for the Panthers because of how much they are running.  There are also times where the limited substitutions are based upon matchups with the other team, or keeping the team’s chemistry together.

“Sometimes there are good matchups on the field in terms of who is marking who,” junior Kayla Stolfa said. “I think that’s why we have a tendency not to sub as much.”

Fatigue commonly sets in due to the hot weather, which is what happened on Sunday.  Sunday’s sun was beating down on all the women as some girls consistently played for 90 minutes.

“Unfortunately today at moments, fatigue broke us down because then we lost focus on the little details,” Carlson said.  “It was hot and competitive and that had an effect on both teams.”

During the first half, the Panthers played well besides allowing a goal.  The Panthers were able to shut down some of SIUE’s key players, such as freshman Andrea Frerker and senior Emily Grahl.

Despite losing both games this weekend, a positive that can be taken away from both games is the Panthers progression on the defensive side.

“On the defensive side of things, we have been getting better at being compact and following runs,” Carlson said.

When it all comes down to it, the decisions to make substitutions or not to make them comes down to when it is necessary in order to win.  With a 5-4-1 record this season, the Panthers are doing well with their game plan and sticking to it.

“Ultimately it’s what the coaches see in the moment for subs,” Carlson said. “But we all know individually we need to be prepared and fit.”

The Panthers are now 5-4-1 on the season and will play Belmont Friday at 4 p.m.

Adam Shay can be reached at 581-2812 or acshay@eiu.edu