SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Jerry Maddi, Chris Pearson and Jonathan Hinds each accounted for a goal, with Alex Harrison assisting on all three scores, in Eastern Illinois men's soccer's 3-0 shutout victory at Missouri State Sunday afternoon.

The Missouri Valley Conference win was the Panthers' first against the Bears (5-3-1, 1-1 MVC) in Springfield. Eastern (4-3-2, 1-1 MVC) entered the weekend 0-8 all-time against MSU at Plaster Field.

Sean Molony made a season-high nine saves and posted his fourth shutout of the year in goal for EIU.

 

Maddi and Pearson both scored off restarts and Hinds put the finishing touches on a three-on-two rush.

 

Missouri State entered the weekend having allowed only five goals in its first eight games and had not surrendered multiple goals in a game since a season-opening loss to Tulsa. A 2007 victory at Western Kentucky marked the last time EIU scored three times in a MVC road game.

 

Maddi headed in a Harrison free kick in the 39th minute for his first collegiate goal. Pearson finished off another Harrison free kick in the 66th minute, recording his first goal of the season and fifth career.

 

Hinds accounted for the final margin when he scored for the third time in the last five games in the 70th minute. Following a MSU free kick, Darby Kehoe won the ball back for EIU with a slide tackle. Harrison led the rush back the other direction and played the ball to Hinds, who finished the scoring opportunity with a right-footed shot into the lower left corner of the net for his fourth career goal.

 

Missouri State won the shot count, 22-8. But EIU took advantage of its chances while also defending nine corner kicks and a number of restarts.

 

“Our defenders really played well today,” EIU head coach Adam Howarth said. “They dug in their heels and set the tone early. And Sean was there to back them up and make saves. We also had a number of good services, two leading to our first two goals. We caught them on a counter for the third one. The guys really bought into the game play today and are starting to believe. It was a very good result on the road against a good team.”

 

Nineteen Panthers saw action in the contest. Trevor Kohlrus, Kyle Zumski, Pearson and Harrison went the distance among the EIU field players. Hinds logged 38 minutes to lead the reserves.

 

Harrison's three assists represents a single-game career high for the junior. The program's single-game record is five, established in 1970. He has setup seven of EIU's 11 goals this year. With 18 career assists, he has moved into second place in the program's Valley era (1996-present).

 

Maddi joins Evan Philpott, Jeff Kupiec, Ryan Child and Hinds as active Panthers to score their first career goals in conference play. Pearson's goal was the second of his career against MSU and his first since the 2006 MVC Tournament victory.

Eastern continues its three-game road stretch Wednesday with a 7 p.m. rematch at Evansville. The two teams opened league play against each other Sept. 30 and EIU has already played two games at the Aces' McCutchan Stadium earlier this season.

More Info: Contact Ben Turner, Asst. SID