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CHARLESTON, Ill. - Heath Melugin scored on a header in the opening minute of play and that score proved to be enough to lift Missouri State to a 1-0 win over Eastern Illinois on Saturday afternoon at Lakeside Field.

EIU dropped to 3-7-0, 0-2-0 in the Missouri Valley while Missouri State improved to 4-5-1, 2-0-0 MVC.  It marked the fourth straight contest that the Panthers have lost by a 1-0 score.

Melugin's goal came in the opening minute following an EIU foul.  Melugin was able to connect on a header that was served up by Edin Sabic as the 53 second mark.

The Panthers responded with an attack of their own midway through the first half as Jerry Maddi sent several balls at the goal with Bears goalkeeper Alex Riggs making a couple of saves.  Riggs finished with seven saves.

EIU's goalkeeper Sean Molony was also solid in goal as he turned away five other Missouri State shots.  

EIU finished the match with a flurry of shots including a shot by Alex Harrison that bounced off the post with just under ten minutes remaining.  Ryan Child led EIU with three shots on goal as the Panthers had 15 shots compared to 11 for the Bears.

The Panthers return to action on Wednesday at Central Arkansas.