Spring Break
Column: A year in Eastern sports
Dan Cusack / Staff Reporter
Issue date: 4/29/09 Section: Sports
As another semester comes to an end, it's time to look back at Eastern's year in sports. As a sports reporter, I have been privileged to attend a number of events this season. I have seen the baseball team mash other teams out of the ballpark, both basketball teams represent our school with pride and men's soccer play through a typhoon in the conference playoffs.
Without further ado, here are my favorite moments and stories I have covered during the year.
Nov. 11 - Men's soccer against Creighton
The final regular season match for the Panthers, and it was their toughest test of the season. Creighton came to Charleston as the No. 2 ranked team in the country, with a defense that had only allowed four goals the entire season. Creighton scored three minutes into the game and things looked bleak for Eastern.
But the Panthers responded with two first half goals and took the lead. When Creighton tied the score again in the second half, Eastern scored again and took a second half lead. Although the Panthers ended up losing 5-3, the team battled throughout the day and nearly doubled Creighton's goals, which allowed an entertaining match.
Jan. 17 - Men's basketball against Morehead State
The men's basketball team reached its first trip to the Ohio Valley Conference playoffs since 2005 this season and had plenty of great moments in the year.
Eastern's most entertaining came at home against Morehead State. Morehead entered the game top in the conference, and Eastern was on a two-game winning streak. Eastern went down early in the game, but tied it at the half. In the second half, sophomore Tyler Laser was lights out. He scored all 18 of his points and hit a three with 1 minute, 24 seconds remaining to give the Panthers a lead and electrify Lantz Arena in the 67-61 win.
April 8 - Baseball against Indiana State
The Eastern baseball team has already put together a great season, but of the games I've covered my favorite was against Indiana State. The Panthers lost to them earlier in the season, but at Coaches Stadium that day, the Panther bats could not be stopped. Eastern belted seven home runs and had a superb game defensively as they extended their winning streak to 12 consecutive games.
That's my list, although there are plenty more that were in consideration. I for one am just looking forward to another year of Eastern sports.
Dan Cusack can be reached at 581-7944 or at dscusack@eiu.edu.
Without further ado, here are my favorite moments and stories I have covered during the year.
Nov. 11 - Men's soccer against Creighton
The final regular season match for the Panthers, and it was their toughest test of the season. Creighton came to Charleston as the No. 2 ranked team in the country, with a defense that had only allowed four goals the entire season. Creighton scored three minutes into the game and things looked bleak for Eastern.
But the Panthers responded with two first half goals and took the lead. When Creighton tied the score again in the second half, Eastern scored again and took a second half lead. Although the Panthers ended up losing 5-3, the team battled throughout the day and nearly doubled Creighton's goals, which allowed an entertaining match.
Jan. 17 - Men's basketball against Morehead State
The men's basketball team reached its first trip to the Ohio Valley Conference playoffs since 2005 this season and had plenty of great moments in the year.
Eastern's most entertaining came at home against Morehead State. Morehead entered the game top in the conference, and Eastern was on a two-game winning streak. Eastern went down early in the game, but tied it at the half. In the second half, sophomore Tyler Laser was lights out. He scored all 18 of his points and hit a three with 1 minute, 24 seconds remaining to give the Panthers a lead and electrify Lantz Arena in the 67-61 win.
April 8 - Baseball against Indiana State
The Eastern baseball team has already put together a great season, but of the games I've covered my favorite was against Indiana State. The Panthers lost to them earlier in the season, but at Coaches Stadium that day, the Panther bats could not be stopped. Eastern belted seven home runs and had a superb game defensively as they extended their winning streak to 12 consecutive games.
That's my list, although there are plenty more that were in consideration. I for one am just looking forward to another year of Eastern sports.
Dan Cusack can be reached at 581-7944 or at dscusack@eiu.edu.
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