CHARLESTON, Ill. – Behind a goal from Evan Philpott in the 76th minute, Eastern Illinois men's soccer ended a 10-game winless drought against Bradley with a 1-0 victory Sunday afternoon at Lakeside Field.

Philpott scored with a one-touch blast after an Alex Harrison cross was deflected out to the right flank. The ball remained in the air after BU goalkeeper Kyle Orne punched it out and Philpott attacked it, burying the shot attempt into the right side of the net.

 

It was Philpott's second goal of the season and third career, all of which have come in Missouri Valley Conference play. He had reentered the game for the first time in the second half in the 70th minute. Harrison recorded his 20th assist as a Panther on Philpott's first collegiate game-winner.

 

Halfway through the double round-robin conference schedule, the Panthers are 5-5-2 and 2-3 in the MVC. Bradley drops to 5-7-1 and 0-5 in league play, suffering its ninth consecutive Valley loss dating back to last season.

Eastern goalkeeper Sean Molony made two saves in goal and posted his fifth shutout of the season, tying the individual record in the program's Valley era (1996-present).

 

Entering the day, EIU's last win against Bradley was in the 2000 regular-season finale at Lakeside Field, a game that also ended with a 1-0 final score. Coincidentally, that was also the Panthers' last 1-0 MVC win prior to Sunday.

 

“To be fair, Bradley played a better second half,” EIU head coach Adam Howarth said. “I thought we played a better first half. And I think we just got a little bit of luck on the goal. It's a shame, but they've had their fair share of luck in the past. It's nice for us to be on the good side of luck as well. A win's a win, no matter how you look at it.

 

“[Philpott] has been doing a good job. We've been sticking him in for super-sub action at times. I thought he was great when he came in. Chris Pearson was fantastic; he just won every single header today. Sean was solid in goal and straight down the middle we were very good.”

 

Bradley's Justin Bigelow hit the post with a one-touch shot after a left-to-right cross in the 37th minute, accounting for his team's best scoring chance of the day. Jonathan Hinds nearly put EIU ahead in the 48th minute but Travis English knocked the shot down at the left post to account for a team save and keep the game scoreless.

 

The Panther defense limited the visitors to two shots on goal but did give up five second-half corner kicks. The 14-11 final shot count favored EIU, but both teams had more chances in their better half. Eastern enjoyed a 9-3 edge before halftime; Bradley had an 8-5 advantage in the second half.

 

The Panthers had nine corner kicks in the game and their first one resulted in the best opportunity to score. In the 22nd minute, Trevor Kohlrus, Darby Kehoe and Kyle Bullock all had shot attempts. The first two shots were blocked by BU defenders and Bullock missed wide left.

 

About two minutes before Philpott scored the game-winner, a header by Bradley's Jochen Graf took a high arc through the air eventually landed on the back half of the crossbar. Molony got a touch on the ball to ensure that it stayed above the net and it led to a corner for the Braves.

 

Jeff Kupiec, Jerry Maddi, Kyle Zumski, Harrison and Pearson went the distance among the EIU field players. Philpott logged 38 minutes to lead the reserves.

Eastern returns to action Wednesday for a 7 p.m. game at Drake.

More Info: Contact Ben Turner, Asst. SID