The men’s soccer team currently rides a three-game losing streak, but the Panthers can end that Saturday in its last home match when they host Omaha at noon.

In 2018, Omaha defeated Eastern at home 1-0 in the last game of the season for. Omaha’s goal came in the 37th minute when Diego Gutierrez took a corner kick sending the ball into Martin Veys for a one touch goal into the right corner of the net.

Last year Omaha finished second in the Summit League tournament, losing to eventual champion Denver. Omaha’s overall record was 7-8-1.

Eastern finished 3-11-4 in 2018. In the Summit League tournament the Panthers were defeated by 2018 champion Denver in the first round.

In the preseason poll, Omaha was picked to finish second in the Summit League. This season Omaha is 3-6-2 and currently sits at second place in the Summit League. Omaha’s leading scorer, Aaron Uribe, has three goals this season.

The Panthers are a different team then in 2018. In this season’s preseason poll, the prediction was that Eastern would finish dead last in the Summit League.

Currently the Panthers are 4-7-1 overall; in conference play the team is 0-1-1 and sits in fourth place.

The momentum on paper appears to be in Omaha’s favor. Currently, Omaha rides a two-game winning streak, beating third-place Western Illinois and sixth-place Fort Wayne.

The Panthers have lost three games in a row, and their losses came against Oral Roberts, Northern Illinois and Milwaukee. In the loss against Northern Illinois the Panthers allowed five goals, which was the first time they allowed that many goals since 2015.

Against Oral Roberts and Milwaukee the Panther defense held their composure in both games. Oral Roberts currently is the best offensive team in the Summit League. Oral Roberts leads the Summit League in total goals scored with 28 goals and total assists with 29.

Against Milwaukee, the two goals from Milwaukee were created by their offense being in the right place at the right time.

Blake Faith can be reached at 581-2812 or bmfaith@eiu.edu.