After an eight-game losing streak to start the season, the Eastern men’s tennis team got its first conference win Saturday at Chicago State.

The Panthers, now 1-8, defeated the Cougars 5-0 at Homewood-Flossmoor Racquet & Fitness Club in Homewood to end a losing streak that never really fazed the players or coaches early on this season.

“Our record is very deceiving, I can tell you first hand this team has taken huge steps forward from last year’s team and the way we played today is just one indication of that,” Eastern coach Eric Stark said.

After defeating North Central Thursday to snap a four-game losing streak, Chicago State ends back on the losing end with a 3-12 record.

The day started out well for Eastern, earning the doubles point for the first time this season with easy victories at the No. 1 and No. 3 matches.

Junior Robert Skolik and freshman Preston Touliatos defeated Cougar seniors Sergiu Muresan and Mario Noboa, 6-3, and senior David Constantinescu and freshman Jared Woodson got their first doubles victory of the season with a 6-1 victory over Christian Gonzalez and Julian Chavez.

The No. 2 match for juniors Ryan Henderson and Rui Silva got to a 4-4 tie but went unfinished.

After Eastern got the doubles point, the Panthers swept the singles field easily getting them the victory.

Skolik, Touliatos, Constantinescu, and Trent Reiman took their matches with no problem.

Skolik defeated Noboa 6-1, 6-1. Touliatos defeated senior Chavez 6-3, 6-1. Constantinescu defeated Luis Ulloa 6-1, 6-1. Reiman defeated senior Rashley Yeremia 6-0, 6-1.

The No. 2 and No. 4 matches both went unfinished.

“This is a battle tested team playing against a solid opponent and we set the tone from the beginning,” Stark said. “We have played some of the best teams and best players in the country and have hung in with them.”

After the match Sunday against Saint Louis was postponed to March 28, the Panthers have their make-up match against Southern Illinois on March 4 before their conference matches start.

“It feels good to get a win under our belt. It gives us a lot of confidence going into conference,” Reiman said.

Stark said he was impressed with how focused the group was despite the eight-game losing streak.

“Up and down the lineup we showed great focus, discipline and aggression. This was a pretty complete team effort today and we are very motivate for the upcoming conference season,” he said.

The match at Southern Illinois begins at 1 p.m. at Sports Blast in Carbondale.

Cody Delmendo can be reached at 581-2812 or cddelmendo@eiu.edu.