Sean Molony has only been attending Eastern for two semesters, but his impact on the men’s soccer team can already be felt.

Through the first six matches of the season the men’s soccer team has a record of 2-2-2. During these six matches, Molony has already recorded three shutouts and is saving 78 percent of the shots he has faced.

Molony, a junior, credits the Eastern coaching staff for his quick development on the soccer team.

“(Assistant coach Dino Raso) and (student assistant) Mark Hansen, as well as (head coach) Adam Howarth, have all evaluated me and taken the time to sit me down and told me what I can improve on,” Molony said. They really broke it down to me, so I can focus on certain, particular things.”

“We basically can play any type of defense here at EIU, while Fort Lewis College is more of a traditional style,” Molony said.

While Molony is still adjusting to the Eastern soccer schemes, he is also getting used to the town of Charleston.

Molony spent his first two collegiate seasons at Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colo. During his time at Fort Lewis College, he amassed a streak of 295 minutes without surrendering a goal, and was part of the 2007 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference All-Tournament Team.

After two seasons, Molony made the decision to leave Fort Lewis College and transfer to Eastern.

He said the decision to transfer to Eastern was influenced by his conversations with Howarth.

“I had times of ups and downs at Fort Lewis, but I certainly have some good memories,” Malony said. “After meeting (former player and current assistant) Brad Peters. over the summer, they got me in touch with (Howarth). I liked what (Howarth) had to say and offer and after I checked out the school, it was an easy decision to transfer.”

In his second semester with the team, Molony has been working on improving his presence on the field.

“I’ve been trying to improve my presence and competitiveness on the field,” Molony said. “I want to show that I can have a presence on the field so that when the center-midfielder or the captain looks back, they realize that everything is OK and I won’t give up anything.”

Heading into the rest of the season, Molony said he and the rest of the Eastern defense are focused on improving with every game.

“We have had some mixing and matching in the backfield this season, but our goal is to progress with each game, so that we can see improvements,” he said.

Neil Schneider can be reached at 581-7944 or

[email protected].

More on Molony

Matches: 6

Shutouts: 3 (Tied for first with two others)

Save percentage 0.783 (Seventh)

Saves: 18 (Third)

Goals against average: 0.78 (Fourth)

(Missouri Valley Conference ranking)