Box Score | Photo Gallery (By Sandy King)

CHARLESTON, Ill. - The EIU men's soccer team started exhibition play with a bang Saturday afternoon defeating Saint Xavier 2-0 in three 30-minute periods. The Panthers dominated on the offensive side of the ball with 20 total shots throughout the match while holding the Cougars to zero. Justin Oliver was the man of the match scoring both goals for EIU with four shots on goal.

Second-year head coach Kiki Lara looked to test the abilities of this season's newcomers during the exhibition match as five of EIU's starting 11 were freshman. Also making his first start for the Panthers in the net was red-shirt freshman R.J. Hill. Hill spent over 46 minutes in goal for EIU before being replaced by Mike Novotny halfway through the match.

The Panthers and the Cougars held firm in the first period deadlocked at 0-0 at the end of the first 30 minutes of play. EIU broke the stalemate early in the second period as Oliver, after being dragged down in the penalty area, was rewarded a penalty kick which he promptly buried into the left side of the net to give the Panthers a 1-0 lead in the fifth minute of period two. 

Oliver found the back of the net yet again in the third period after making a run with the ball all the way from midfield. Oliver dribbled down the left side of the field eventually making a run into the penalty area and drilling a shot across the goal and into the side netting to give EIU a little breathing room with a 2-0 lead in the 12th minute of period three. EIU pressed hard in the third period recording 13 of their 20 total shots in the final 30 minutes.

The Panther defense successfully earned the shut out victory over the Cougars by holding SXU to zero shots throughout the match.

Julian Montoya along with freshman Cole Harkrader each had three shots to their name while Christian Sosnowski was a perfect 2-for-2 for shots on goal. Dominic Recca and Kris Luke also recorded two shots a piece.

The Saint Xavier goalkeeper duo of Frank Valle and Fuad Abuzerr combined for nine saves during the exhibition match.

The EIU men's soccer team continues exhibition play at Drake this coming Wednesday (Aug. 17) at 3 p.m.