MACOMB, Ill. – The Western Illinois men's soccer team will open Summit League play in Kansas City, Mo. against defending league tournament champion UMKC at 7 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 3.
The Fighting Leathernecks (2-5-0) are looking to win their first league opener since a 1-0 victory over UMKC in 2006. Western Illinois is coming off a 3-1 win over Central Arkansas its last time out.
UMKC (2-5-1, 0-0-1 Summit League) enters Saturday's match after a 3-2 loss to Saint Louis its last time out. The Kangaroos have played one conference match this season, a scoreless tie against IUPUI on Sept. 26.
The Match
Who: Western Illinois (2-5-0) vs. UMKC (2-5-1)
When: Saturday, Oct. 1 at 7 p.m.
Location: Kansas City, Mo.
Stadium: Durwood Soccer Stadium (850)
Coverage
Live Stats will be provided by UMKC through goleathernecks.com, please click here (free)
Scouting Report
Scouting the Kangaroos
UMKC is coming off a 3-2 loss to Saint Louis in its last match. The Kangaroos led the match 2-0 in the second half, but Saint Louis roared back with three goals in the final 27 minutes of the match to take a 3-2 victory. UMKC's last win came against then No. 23 Drake on Sept. 20. The Kangaroos also defeated Memphis on Sept. 11.
The Kangaroos are led by head coach Rick Benben, who is in his 12th season at UMKC. Benben is the winningest and longest-tenured coach in UMKC history. He carries a career record of 85-108-20 (.446) in to Saturday's match. Benben has led the Kangaroos to three Summit League regular-season titles and three NCAA College Cup appearances. Under Benben's guidance, the Kangaroos finished last season 9-6-2 and won the Summit League Tournament in a shootout against Oakland.
Offensively, the Kangaroos are led by freshman forward David Sarabia, who has recorded eight points on four goals this season. Sarabia picked up a hat-trick in a 3-1 victory over Memphis this season. The Miami native has scored four goals on just nine shots this season. UMKC is also led by senior midfielder Bryan Perez, who has tallied seven points on three goals and an assist this season. Perez is UMKC's all-time leader in career goals with 21. Also a native of Miami, Perez has been selected as a first-team all-Summit League honoree in 2007 and 2008.
On defense, UMKC is led by junior goalkeeper Ken Cooper, who has compiled a 2-5-1 record with two shutouts this season. Cooper has posted a 1.67 goals against average and a .767 save percentage. Cooper finished last season with a 10-6-2 record, a 1.19 goals against average and a .793 save percentage.
Match Notes
League Opener
Saturday's match marks the Summit League opener for the Leathernecks. Western Illinois finished last season with a 3-2-1 record in league play, good for a second place finish in league play. Western was defeated by UMKC by a 1-0 score in double-overtime in the first round of last year's Summit League Tournament.
Offense Comes to Life
After tallying just five goals in their first six matches, the Leathernecks scored three goals their last time out. Oskar Gasecki, Nathan Bruinsma and Adam Rappin each found the back of the net in a 3-1 victory over Central Arkansas on Sept. 27. Western Illinois has had five different players record a goal this season and has tallied assists from seven separate players.
Looking for 150
Western Illinois head coach Dr. Eric Johnson will be looking to pick up his 150th career victory this Saturday. Johnson was 43-53-4 at Loras College before coming to Western and is 106-119-17 in his time with the Leathernecks.
Series History
Western Illinois is 13-11-2 all-time against UMKC. The Leathernecks were defeated by UMKC by a 1-0 score in double-overtime the last time the teams met. The loss knocked Western out of The Summit League Tournament. In last year's regular-season meeting on Oct. 11, 2008, Western came away with a 1-0 win in double-overtime.
Next Up
The Leathernecks will host the Drake Bulldogs at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 7.
