Sophomore forward Tayron Martin helped the Eastern men’s soccer team pick up its first win since Aug. 26, defeating Loyola (Ill.), 2-0, Tuesday at Lakeside Field.

Martin started the scoring early with a chip over the head of Loyola goalkeeper Peter McKeown five minutes into the game, after a long pass from red-shirt sophomore defender Colin Rook.

The Panthers had two other close shots by sophomore forward Will Butler in the first half, trying to extend their one-goal lead, but the wind played a factor, said Eastern men’s soccer head coach Adam Howarth.

Butler’s first chance came about 25 minutes into the game when he hit a shot that had the goalkeeper beat, but soared wide right of the goal.

Then, Butler hit another shot right of the goal about 37 minutes into the game.

“That’s kind of our luck, we were going against the win in the first half and it was a big factor,” Howarth said.

Butler got into the goal box 10 minutes into the second half and had a shot, but the goalkeeper stopped it – the ball smacking off of his face on the ground.

Loyola had a chance on goal one minute after Butler’s goal was stopped, as Ryan Howe’s shot flew too far to the right of the goalpost.

Another shot for Loyola came off of a cross, as a failed header fell to the feet of Brian Bement right in front of a crowded goal box. Bement slid his shot wide left of the goal.

Throughout the game, Loyola tried crossing the ball into the box for a header, but they couldn’t find the heads of teammates.

Eastern freshman goalkeeper Garrett Creasor only had to make three saves in the game.

Martin’s second goal came at the 65-minute mark in the game, which sealed the win for the Panthers.

Martin dribbled down the left slot of the field and once we got it into the goal box, he cut to his right to fool the defender and took a shot, which ripped into the left corner of the goal past a diving goalkeeper.

“I saw the goalkeeper just standing there so I hit it near side and it went in,” Martin said.

Loyola switched goalkeepers at halftime, removing McKeown and putting in Tim Dobrowolski.

Loyola had six corner kicks in the game, when Eastern didn’t have one, but Loyola couldn’t convert its free kick opportunities into goals.

Eastern converted its chances on the field.

“We put our chances away today and that was the difference,” Howath said.

Martin and Butler led the team offensively with three shots each. Howe led the way for Loyola with a game-high five shots.

Three yellow cards were issued in the latter half of the game. Eastern freshman forward Anthony DiNuzzo was given a yellow card at the 60-minute mark and Eastern freshman defender Conor Bartuch was carded at the 87-minute mark. Loyola’s Richard Lenke was given a yellow card at the 61-minute mark.

Eastern improves to 2-6 this season and is back in action on the road at 7 p.m. Saturday against IUPUI. The game will be Eastern’s first against a Summit League opponent this season.

Alex McNamee can be reached at 581-2812 or admcnamee@eiu.edu.