The Eastern women’s soccer team looks to end a four game losing streak against the Eastern Kentucky Colonels this Friday, hoping to restart their offense.

Last weekend, the Panthers were held scoreless against Belmont and Austin Peay as they lost both games 2-0. This week in practice, the Panthers are making adjustments in order to return to their scoring ways.

“We are focusing on being more offensive minded and taking more shots while we are in the offensive third,” senior Madi Fisher said.

The Panthers have been held scoreless the past four games; however, the team has been working on returning to form on offense.

“We’re working on timing our runs up top while staying onsides,” junior Kayla Stolfa said. “That way, when we get opportunities to attack, we can capitalize on them.”

Injuries are still lingering amongst the Panthers which has caused them setbacks over the past couple weeks. A goal for the Panthers is to continuously try and help their players become healthy again.

“We’ve also had a lot of injuries in the past couple weeks so we’re also working on getting those people healthy,” Stolfa said.

Stolfa is one of those injured players as she suffered a sprained ankle in Friday’s game, but is hopeful to return to the lineup this weekend.

However, some Panthers have returned to the lineup. Sophomore Henar Urteaga, a starting defender for the Panthers, played the last two games after missing time. One of the key injured players for the Panthers is junior Kate Olsen.

During the Panthers first OVC game against Southern Illinois University­­—Edwardsville, Olsen was injured with a shoulder subluxation. Olsen’s timetable for return is not determined specifically, but she is hopeful for a speedy recovery.

“Normally with an injury like mine, the doctors said it could take up to six weeks to come back,” Olsen said. “They are going to take it a week at a time to determine if I am ready to come back or not. It’s hard to know an approximate time.”

Eastern Kentucky is 5-3-3 this year and is coming off of a tie. During practice this week, the Panthers have been working on making sure everyone is on the same page.

“We’re really working on our communication. We want to be more directive and clear with it. If our communication gets better, the little mistakes that have been costing us goals won’t happen.” Stolfa.

Despite their recent losses, the Panthers head into Friday’s game looking to snap their losing streak. The Panthers have had a positive mentality so far this week in regards to Friday’s game.

“We know all it takes is one win to get back into the swing of things,” Olsen said.  “We might have to dig ourselves out of a hole, but our goal for making the conference tournament is still in reach. We have a game plan and are holding each other to it as a team.”

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