MACOMB, Ill. ? The Western Illinois men's soccer team fell to Oakland in their Summit League opener 1-0, Saturday.

The Leathernecks (4-5-1/0-1-0) struggled through the first half playing into a strong wind. The Golden Grizzlies (4-2-2/1-0-0) took advantage of playing with the wind at their backs out shooting Western by a margin of 7-4 in the opening frame.

Nathan Sanchez (Moline, Ill./Moline) and Kevin Hinds (Charleston, Ill./Charelston) both had shots on goal. Charlie Sales (Springfield, Ill./Lehigh) was in goal for the Leathernecks in the first half, recording a save on the only shot on goal for Oakland in the period.

“The wind played a big factor today,” said Dr. Eric Johnson of the playing conditions. “It was definitely a factor in the first half as we struggled to clear the ball out.”

In the second half, Western looked to make the most of playing with the wind in their favor, but a goal off a rebound for Oakland in the 48th minute, made the second half an uphill battle.

The Golden Grizzlies had a long throw in towards the center of the box, that Western could not control. Instead, Sebastian Harris collected the ball for Oakland and slipped a shot in net over the hands of Stephen Paterson (Thunder Bay, Ontario/Sir Winston Churchill).

“After they scored, we picked our heads up and put a lot of pressure on them,” added Johnson. “The game easily could have been ours, or at least a tie. I was pleased with our effort, but disappointed that we gave up a goal on a long throw in. We knew that they had a guy who could throw to the middle, they did, and got a goal out of it.”

After the goal, Western picked up the intensity by out shooting the Golden Grizzlies 8-2 the rest of the way. Preston Bernardi (Naperville, Ill./Waubonsie Valley) ripped a shot from the top of the box that missed just right of the goal. In the 85th minute, Martin Browne, Jr. set up a free kick from the right side of the goal, attempting to bend it around the wall. The shot missed left of the goal ending Western's final scoring threat.

“Right now we're playing well,” Browne stated of his team's effort. “We are making some improvements. Today we just gave up a one-on-one goal. But it was better from the last two home games.”

The loss was the first time Western has lost a league opener since they dropped a 4-1 decision at Oakland Oct. 5, 2002.

“I think we are ready for conference play,” added Johnson. “Next weekend we have two road games against good opponents. I think we found our group now that can give us some good moments. I thought the guys who came off the bench did well, and some of the freshmen stepped up.”

Western hits the road next weekend for match ups at Creighton, Friday, and Northern Illinois, Sunday.