The men’s soccer team forward, Derrick Perry, was drafted into the Major Indoor Soccer League to play for the St. Louis Steamers.

Perry was selected 12th overall in the amateur draft that was held March 9.

The Steamers also selected University of Wisconsin forward Dominic DaPra third overall in the territorial round.

The team also picked up Saint Louis University mid fielder Marty Tappel in the second round.

Southwest Missouri State University forward Jarod Bertr will also join the Steamers in a third round pick, and University of Memphis forward Sean Fraser in the fourth round will join the Steamers too.

“They have a good team, but I guess they’re looking for offense because they drafted some other forwards,” Perry said.

Perry was part of the Panthers’ (6-10, 2-7 MVC) starting lineup, leading the squad with 14 goals and 31 points this season.

He ended his collegiate career tied for ninth among Eastern’s all-time goal scorers with 26 goals.

“I think he had something to prove to himself and to me,” Eastern head coach Adam Howarth said.

“And it was important to start his senior year.”

The Steamers have not contacted Perry yet to discuss a contract, but Perry expect the team to talk to him after its season ends later this month. Perry says he is definitely going to sign and looks forward to going to training camp in the summer.

“It’s a big deal,” Perry said. “I’ve always wanted to play professional soccer, and this my opportunity to go do it.”

Perry is setting realistic goals for himself, and hopes to make an impact on the team.

“I’m not going in with huge expectations,” he said. “I expect to play, but not to step into a starting roll.”

Perry is also optimistic that playing in the MISL could give him a foot in the door of another league like Major League Soccer.

“I look at this as a stepping stone to one of the outdoor leagues,” he said.

At the end of Eastern’s soccer season, Perry was named to the Midwest Region Third Team by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America.

Perry was also a Second Team All-Missouri Valley Conference pick and twice Offensive Player of the Week in the Missouri Valley Conference. He was also a three-year starter at forward for the Panthers.

The senior ended his career at Eastern by scoring the game-winning goal in overtime against Western Kentucky in the Panthers’ season finale.