The Eastern wrestling team will be hoping to begin a major turnaround entering the second half if its season against the Cougars from Southern Illinois – Edwardsville in Lantz Arena Sunday at 2 p.m.

The Panthers have an 0-6 record for the first half of the season and are looking for a win to build into the second half. The Panthers will square off against the Cougars, who are currently 2-5 on the season.

Last season, the Cougars did not compete with a full roster during the first season for head coach Booker Benford.

“They have drastically improved,” head wrestling coach Ralph McCausland said. “They have a full roster and a couple of prospects.”

The Cougars had to forfeit five of its 10 matches during the last confrontation with the Panthers. This year will be different for both teams, considering that Southern now has a full roster.

McCausland and his troopers have been under some tough training for the upcoming match in hopes of taking control of the season.

“We have been working hard all weekend and we will continue to do so,” McCausland said. “It is a tough week. The workouts have been more intense, but shorter in duration.”

McCausland is hoping the intense training will help his team realize some of the tasks that lie before it.

“We need a win,” McCausland said. “We have the talent base, but it just hasn’t shown up in a match. My guys have to rise to the occasion.”

Last season, the Panthers won the meet against the Cougars 46-3, however, this season’s situations are slightly different. McCausland said that the key matches will be at the middle weights from 133 to 174-pound divisions.

“Their strengths are at 133, 141, 149,165 and 174,” McCausland said. “We have to attack their strengths. We have to beat them at their strengths to win.”

McCausland will be utilizing a familiar roster with exception of Pat Dowty and Frank DeFilippis, who will be out with injuries.