The Eastern men’s soccer team recorded its third straight shutout win with a 1-0 victory over Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis.

Eastern’s defense continues to play well, only allowing five goals in six games.

Senior goalkeeper Sean Molony played well but he only made one save. Molony was bailed out two times, with players kicking the ball out of bounds before it entered the net.

Sophomore midfielder Kyle Bullock scored the game-winning goal in the 50th minute of the game. Bullock was set up from a pass from junior forward Ryan Child.

The goal was Bullock’s first of the season and Bullock became the fourth different Panther to score this season.

“Ryan did a great job of controlling the ball and turning it around, I just curved around to the outside like my coach has been telling me. Ryan slid it through, I got a good touch on it, I took a hit and it went in the top right corner,” Bullock said.

The win improves the Panthers record to 3-3 on the season. With one game left in the non-conference schedule, the win gives the Panthers a chance to be over .500 for that portion of the schedule.

IUPUI will be a future conference opponent of Eastern so the win means a little bit more than regular non-conference games. Eastern is now 2-0 against Summit League opponents this year.

Eastern head coach Adam Howarth said that he was happy with how the team performed but he was happier that the defense kept playing at a high level.

“The first half we were a little sloppy, we didn’t play very well, the second half was a much improved performance, I think that we played with a lot of conviction in the second half,” Howarth said.

The Panthers have been able to turn their record around quickly after a 0-3 start. The main reason being that the team has started to produce offensively.

“Our intensity has been up to par, we just wanted it more, in the last three games we came out with good intensity and that’s what makes a difference in the games,” Bullock said.

Howarth said he is proud of the way the team has been playing.

“We’ve got to keep it going, the most important thing is that we had another shutout, teams are having a hard time scoring against us,” Howarth said. “I don’t think this was the best the defense could play but when you win the ones when you don’t play your best that’s the sign of a good team.

The Panthers look to continue their success as the conference season approaches. The conference season starts Oct. 1 against Creighton.

The Panthers return to action Sunday, at Lakeside Field at 1 p.m. against Western Michigan.

Rob Mortell can be reached at 581-7944 or at rdmortell@eiu.edu

Sophomore defender/mid fielder Ryan Warren fights for the ball against IUPUI’s Weston Hawkins during the game Wednesday afternoon at Lakeside Field. The Panthers beat the Jaguars 1-0. (Audrey Sawyer

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