ROCHESTER, Mich. – Oskar Gasecki's game-winning goal in the 78th minute led Western Illinois to a win in The Summit League Tournament Championship match and a berth in the NCAA College Cup.
Gasecki scored off a rebound from Nathan Bruinsma's header at the 77:18 mark to give Western a 1-0 lead over UMKC and The Fighting Leathernecks (8-9-2, 3-2-1 Summit League) held on for their fourth conference tournament title since 2004.
Bruinsma picked up his fourth assist of the season to push his season point total to ten while Gasecki's goal, his third of the season, placed him in a tie for second on the team in goals scored and third in points (7).
The Kangaroos (7-10-2, 2-2-2 Summit League) attempted a furious comeback in the closing minutes of the match, but Leatherneck goalkeeper Stephen Paterson preserved the win and improved on his school record with the 23rd shutout of his career.
Paterson made eight saves in the second half, including two in the final eight minutes to earn tournament MVP honors. The Thunder Bay, Ontario, native recorded two shutouts while making 12 total saves in the league tournament.
Western Illinois outshot UMKC by an 18 to 12 margin, but the Kangaroos finished with nine shots on goal to Western's eight. The Kangaroos took five corners to the Leatherneck's two and were called for 13 fouls to Western's 10.
The Leathernecks had four players named to the All-Tournament team including Paterson, Gasecki, Cosimo Patano and Husref Jupic.
The victory for the Leathernecks avenged a 1-0 double-overtime loss to UMKC in the first round of last year's Summit League Tournament and 1-0 double-overtime loss to the Kangaroos during this year's regular-season.
The Leathernecks will now advance to the NCAA College Cup and will play a first-round match on Nov. 20 or 21. Western's opponent will be determined during the NCAA College Cup Selection Show which will be televised on ESPN News at 4:30 p.m., Monday, Nov. 16.
