CHICAGO – Goalkeeper Sean Molony recorded a career-high 14 saves and Eastern Illinois men's soccer received goals from Graham Lynch and Ryan Child en route to posting a 2-0 win at DePaul Saturday afternoon.

 

The Panthers (2-3) posted both of their victories this week in shutout fashion. Molony protected the net in both wins to increase his career shutout total to eight.

Lynch scored what proved to be the game-winner in the 38th minute as he blasted a right-footed free kick into the bottom right corner of the net from the top of the 18-yard box. It was Lynch's first goal as a Panther.

 

Lynch was selected to take the free kick after a foul was whistled on DePaul (2-3-1) and Austin Toth was issued a yellow card. As the last defender back, Toth took down Grey Genebacher in a developing one-v-one opportunity.

 

“Grey was completely in and it was a yellow that could have been a red because he was last defender,” EIU head coach Adam Howarth said. “Graham hit a nice left-foot drive to the right side of the goalkeeper into the bottom right corner. We haven't had too many opportunities like that so far this season. And we'll try as many people as we can in future opportunities, but it's always to score that first one.”

Child added an insurance goal in the 82nd minute, burying a rebound in front of the goal with a left-footed shot. It was the junior's first score of the second and second career.

Both teams also had a shot hit the goal framing. With the game still scoreless, DePaul's Alex Mangan had a header go off the post in the 21st minute. Child hit the crossbar in the 82nd minute moments before he scored the insurance goal. Child regained possession and after his second shot was blocked by a defender, he finished off the scramble.

Molony made six saves in the first half and eight more after the halftime break. It marked the third time in his EIU career that he has posted a double-figure save total in a game.

 

“At least six of his saves were top notch,” Howarth said. “They put a little pressure on us and his two best saves were probably after we scored to go up 2-0. He stopped a shot and then another quick one after a rebound.”

 

Molony and the EIU defense also defended 10 corner kicks successfully, including seven in the second half. Eastern had two corner kicks opportunities, both coming in the second half. DePaul put 14 of its 19 shots on goal, while EIU did likewise with five of its nine shots.

Alex Harrison, Mike Picinich, Zach Piekarski, Bullock and Lynch went the distance among the EIU field players. Trevor Kohlrus (65 minutes) and Jonathan Hinds (60) both played the majority of the game off the bench.

The Panthers close out the month of September with home games against IUPUI Wednesday and Western Michigan Sunday. Kickoff vs. IUPUI at Lakeside Field Wednesday is set for 4:30 p.m.