VALPARAISO, Ind. - Mariano Leo notched his first career-goal as Western Illinois played Valparaiso to a 1-1 draw at Brown Field on Wednesday, Oct. 6.

The Fighting Leathernecks (2-5-4) got on the board early when Mariano beat Valparaiso goalkeeper Kyle Zobeck one-on-one from eight yards out in 7th minute to give Western a 1-0 edge. Darryl Odom and Jonathan Sandoval were each credited with an assist on the play.

The Crusaders (6-3-2) would score the equalizer just eight minutes later when Zack Stivers converted a penalty kick in the 15th minute following a handball in the penalty area.

Both teams had multiple chances to take the lead in the first half. The Crusaders were denied the go-ahead goal in the 20th minute when a header by Stefan Antonijevic hit the crossbar.

The Leathernecks nearly took the lead in the 29th minute when a shot by Sandoval was stopped by a Crusader defender before crossing into the goal.

Western's best chance to take the lead came in the 44th minute when the team was awarded a penalty kick, but Zobeck saved Cosimo Patano's shot as the first half ended with the score still knotted at 1-1.

Valparaiso would come out firing in the second half as Leatherneck goalkeeper Andy Ryan was forced to make two saves in the first 28 minutes of the second frame to keep the match tied.

Adam Rappin nearly gave Western Illinois the lead with just over two minutes remaining in regulation, but Zobeck made his fourth and final save of the match at the 87:40 mark.

Neither team could find a scoring opportunity in the first overtime period as the teams combined for no shots in the first ten minutes of extra time.

The Crusaders found two quality chances in the second overtime, but a save by Ryan in the 102nd minute and a shot off the post in the 110th minute kept Valparaiso from netting the game-winner.

Western Illinois was outshot by a 16 to nine margin but finished even with Valparaiso with five shots on goal. The Leathernecks were awarded two corner kicks compared to four for the Crusaders. Valparaiso committed 28 fouls to Western's 19.

Ryan (2-5-4) made four saves in the contest and Leo led all Leatherneck players with two shots. Patano, Rappin, Sandoval and James Raabe each recorded a shot on goal.

The Leathernecks will return to action on Saturday when they play host to IPFW in a Summit League match beginning at 1 p.m. at John MacKenzie Alumni Field. The match is the first of a season-long three-match home stand.