Box Score  |  Photo Gallery (by Sandy King)

CHARLESTON, Ill. - The Eastern Illinois men's soccer team was handed their first multi-goal loss of the season Tuesday afternoon Valparaiso earned a 3-0 victory over the Panthers. With the loss EIU falls to 2-6-1 on the season while the Crusaders improve to 4-2-2.

Red-shirt freshman R.J. Hill earned his first career start against Valparaiso recording nine saves throughout the match. Hill faced a very offensive-minded Valpo team as the Crusaders out shot EIU 18-11 throughout the match.

The Crusaders managed to get on the board early in the match as Chris Villalobos pick-pocketed an EIU defender just outside the penalty area. Villalobos slid a pass through to Kendan Anderson who put Valpo up 1-0 in the 16th minute.

The Panthers calmed down after the goal appearing to head into halftime only down one until Valpo's Jacob Pesek managed to get into the penalty area to fire off a close range shot. Hill saved the shot, but could only parry it away as the ball fell to Isaiah Madrid who flicked a pass back to a waiting Suleiman Thomas for the open net goal giving Valparaiso a 2-0 cushion in the 44th minute.

The Panthers finished the first period with only two shots on goal as both Anton Olsson and Jonathan Huerta recorded one each.

Madrid added a goal to his name halfway through the second half after receiving a pass from Anderson on the far side of the box. Anderson's pass found Madrid at the top of the seven-yard box for the goal and the 3-0 lead in the 68th minute.

Madrid led the Crusaders with six shots, four on goal while also recording one goal and one assist.

Eight Panthers recorded at least one shot in the match led by Alex Castaneda, Olsson, and Huerta each with two shots, one on goal.

The Panthers are back in action this Saturday at 12 p.m. on Lakeside Field as they take on Summit League-leading Denver.