MACOMB, Ill. - The Western Illinois Fighting Leatherneck men's soccer team (7-5-1, 2-1) play host to the Oakland Golden Grizzlies (4-9-1, 1-2) Saturday, October 22, at John MacKenzie Alumni Field. The Summit League match is slated to begin at 2:30 p.m.

LAST TIME ON THE PITCH: The Leathernecks improved their league record to 2-1 in 2011 after a 1-0 overtime victory against Summit League member IUPUI. After a back-and-forth regulation, senior midfielder Alexis Dominguez buried a rebound 2:22 into the overtime period to lift the Leathernecks (recap HERE | box score HERE).

THE BREAKDOWN
 

WHO: Western Illinois Leathernecks (7-5-1, 2-1-0) vs. Oakland Golden Grizzlies (4-9-1, 1-2-0)
WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 22 at 2:30 p.m.
LOCATION: Macomb, Ill.
STADIUM: John MacKenzie Alumni Field (1,000)

LIVE STATS: HERE

THE SUMMIT LEAGUE STANDINGS

WEEKLY/TEAM NOTES

SERIES HISTORY: Western Illinois is 9-8-2 all-time against Oakland...The two teams most recently met last season in Michigan where the Leathernecks and Golden Grizzlies finished the match in a 0-0 tie (recap located HERE | box score located HERE).

AT THE HELM: In the midst of his 15th season as the head coach of the Fighting Leathernecks, coach Eric Johnson holds an overall coaching record of 166-190-30 (.469) and a record of 123-137-27 (.476) at Western...Earlier this season (Sept. 11), Johnson earned his 118th victory while coaching at Western, becoming the winningest coach in Summit League history (story HERE)...During his time at WIU, Johnson has earned league 'Coach of the Year' honors three times, led four teams to Summit League Tournament Championship titles, and seen his team receive a berth in the NCAA College Cup in four of the past seven seasons.

CAPTAINS: Senior goalkeeper Andy Ryan and senior defender Kooten Johnson are the captains for this year's squad.

IN THE SUMMIT LEAGUE: The Leathernecks rank in the top-three of several Summit League categories. The Leathernecks rank first in the following categories: shots per game (14.38), assists per game (1.38), goals against average (.85), shutout percentage (.46), corner kicks (6.38), and offsides (34).  Western ranks second in: assists (18) and yellow cards (27). Western ranks third in: points (50), goals (16), goals per game (1.23), saves (66), and fouls (13.62). Individually, Charlie Bales ranks second in shots (35) and shots per game (2.69)...Daniel Lewis sits tied for third in shots (31) and shots per game (2.38)...Diego Gonzalez and Nathan Bruinsma each sit tied for second in game-winning goals (2)...Andy Ryan ranks first in save percentage (.859), goals against average (.82), shutouts (6), and shutout percentage (.50), while ranking second in saves (61), and third in saves per game (5.08).

IN THE NATION: The Leathernecks rank in the top-50 of four team categories, including: 9th in save percentage (.859), 33th in goals against average (.83), T-30th in shutout percentage (.46), and T-31st in saves per game (5.15). Individually, senior goalkeeper Andy Ryan ranks in the top-50 of four national categories, including: 8th in save percentage (.859), T-22nd in saves (61), T-27th in saves per game (5.08), and 32th in goal against average (.817).

AGAINST OUR OPPONENTS: Western has been outshot by its opponents this season, 211-187, but have put more shots on goal than their opponents, 81-78...The Leathernecks have also scored more goals, 16-11, own a better shooting percentage, .086-.052, and a better shots-on-goal percentage, .433-.370...15 different Leathernecks have taken a shot, 14 of which have put at least one shot on frame...11 Leathernecks have netted at least one goal, while nine others have earned at least one helper...To view Western Illinois stats, click HERE.

TOP DRAWER SOCCER: A trio of Leatherneck men's soccer players were named to TopDrawerSoccer.com's Summit League 'Top 20' list. The three Western player recognized were senior captain and goalkeeper Andy Ryan who was ranked sixth (first among goalkeepers), junior midfielder Husref Jupic who was ranked 10th, and senior midfielder Mariano Leo was ranked 18th.

SENIOR DAY SATURDAY: Saturday's contest will be the last home match for nine Leatherneck soccer players, including: goalkeeper Andy Ryan, defenders Kooten Johnson, Kevin Ross, Adrian Loyocano and Antonio Katic, and midfielders Daniel Lewis, Matt Lewandowski, Mariano Leo and Alexis Dominguez.

RPI RANKINGS: The first release of the Division I Men's Soccer RPI is now available (records are through games played 10/16); the Leathernecks rank 86th in the nation. To view the complete list, click HERE.

CHICAGOLAND PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Senior captain and goalkeeper Andy Ryan was named SoccerSavings.com/Chicagoland Soccer News 'Men's College Player of the Week' on October 3rd for his performance the week prior (Release HERE)...The Soccer News Net College 'Player of the Week' Awards are selected by the editors of Soccer News Net's six regional news web sites and are sponsored by SoccerSavings.com.

SUMMIT LEAGUE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Western Illinois senior goalkeeper Andy Ryan was named Summit League 'Defensive Player of the Week' September 6th, 'co-Defensive Player of the Week' September 19th, and 'Defensive Player of the Week' October 3rd...Releases on Ryan earning the awards can be found HERE (Sept. 6), HERE (Sept. 19), and HERE (Oct. 3).

SCHOLAR ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Both Daniel Lewis and Andy Ryan have earned the Western Illinois 'Scholar Athlete of the Week' award this season, the most of any team on campus...Lewis earned the honor on Sept. 6th after scoring the game-winning goal in Western's 1-0 victory over Marquette on Sept. 4th (release located HERE)...Ryan earned the award on Sept. 26th after recording his Summit League leading third shutout this 2011 in Western's 1-0 win over Western Michigan on Sept. 25th.

ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM: Earlier this season (Sept. 2-4), senior goalkeeper Andy Ryan was named to the 37th Annual Panther Invitational All-Tournament team, along with teammate, senior midfielder Alexis Dominguez...A week later (Sept. 9-11) at the Dayton Invitational, three Leathernecks earned All-Tournament honors in: junior Husref Jupic, sophomore Charlie Bales and junior Aaron Appel.

EXHIBITION SEASON: Western Illinois took part in two exhibition contests in August, both at home...The Graceland Yellowjackets defeated the Leathernecks 4-0 on Aug. 20...All of Graceland's goals were scored in the second half including one goal on a penalty kick...In their second preseason game, Western defeated Quincy on Aug. 22, 1-0...In the match, at the 64:19 mark, senior midfielder Alexis Dominguez took the ball down the crease, found junior forward Nathan Bruinsma who finished near post to put WIU up 1-0 where the score would remain.

2011 ROSTER BREAKDOWN: After losing eight seniors last season, Western Illinois will look to nine seniors in 2011 for leadership on and off the pitch...Joining the nine seniors are seven juniors, three sophomores and 11 freshmen.

NEWCOMERS: This season's incoming class features 13 new Leathernecks, including two junior college transfers (Matt Carlson, Hilary Esangbedo) and 11 freshman (Mario Alvarez, Torrance Brown, Diego Gonzalez, Jose Martinez, Ebenezer Mengistu, Andre Nichols, Ephraim Okeke, Adam Osman, Jarrett Smith,  Zachary Walsh and Nick Makropoulos).

PRESEASON POLL: Western collected 23 votes, including a first-place vote in the 2011 Men's Soccer Preseason Poll to finish third...Receiving the most votes in the poll was co-favorites Oakland and UNKC as each team collected 32 points to tie for first.

2010 SUMMIT LEAGUE HONORS: Western returns 19 players, including four All-League selections: sophomore Charlie Bales (All-Newcomer), senior Kooten Johnson (Second Team), senior Mariano Leo (Second Team and All-Newcomer) and senior Andy Ryan (Second Team) from last year's team.

JOHN MACKENZIE ALUMNI FIELD: Both the Leatherneck Men's and Women's soccer teams play all home games on John MacKenzie Alumni Field. Located directly east of Brophy Hall and in front of a heavily wooded backdrop, it measures 80 yards wide by 120 yards long and was recently enhanced with the additions of an electronic scoreboard and chain-link fence. With bleacher seating for 500, MacKenzie Field has a capacity of 1,000 fans. Recognizing the long-time Leatherneck men's head coach, the field was named in MacKenzie's honor in December, 1997 and officially dedicated in the spring of 1998. MacKenzie coached the Leathernecks for 29 seasons before retiring in 1996. His tenure dated to the very first season of soccer at Western in 1968 and he was named the Midwest Coach of the Year in 1988 and 1995. MacKenzie headed the drive to raise funds for the new field.

PLAYER NOTES

ANDY RYAN NOTES: The senior goalkeeper has started 12 of the Leathernecks 13 matches this season...One of two captains for this year's team...Ryan owns a 7-4-1 mark...Owner of 61 saves, a .859 save percentage and 0.82 goals per game average...Named Summit League 'Defensive Player of the Week' September 6th, 'co-Defensive Player of the Week' September 19th, and 'Defensive Player of the Week' October 3rd...Releases on Ryan earning the awards can be found HERE (Sept. 6), HERE (Sept. 19), and HERE (Oct. 3)...Named SoccerSavings.com/Chicagoland Soccer News 'Men's College Player of the Week' on October 3rd for the week prior (Release HERE)...Ranks first in the Summit League in save percentage (.859), goals against average (.82), shutouts (6), and shutout percentage (.50), while ranking second in saves (61), and third in saves per game (5.08)...Nationally, ranks in the top-50 of four national categories, including: 8th in save percentage (.859), T-22nd in saves (61), T-27th in saves per game (5.08), and 32th in goal against average (.817).

HUSREF JUPIC NOTES: The junior midfielder has played in 12 matches for Western this season, starting 10 of them...Owner of 18 shots, seven on goal, two goals, three assists, and a team-high seven points...Assisted on one of Daniel Lewis' goals against Butler (Sept. 9)...Scored a goal and earned a helper in Western's 4-0 win over DePaul (Sept. 17)...Earned a goal and an assist in Western's Summit League opener, a 3-0 shutout victory over Eastern Illinois...Owner of 2-3-7.

DANIEL LEWIS NOTES: The senior midfielder has started every match for Western this season...Lewis ranks first on the team in goals with three, sits second on the team in shots with 31 and shots on goal with 15...His six points rank tied for second on the team...His 31 shots sits tied for third in the league...Scored the game-winner versus Marquette with 32 seconds remaining in regulation to give Western its first win of 2011 (Sept. 4)...Tallied two goals in Western's 3-2 loss to Butler (Sept. 9)...Owner of 3-0--6.

NATHAN BRUINSMA NOTES: The junior forward has played in all 13 matches for Western this season, starting 11 of them...Owner of 28 shots and 10 on goal, both of which rank third on the team...Has netted two goals this season, both game-winners, two assists, and six points (tied for second on the team)...His two game-winning goals ranks second in the Summit League...His first goal of 2011 was Western's game-winner in WIU's 4-0 win over DePaul (Sept. 17)...His second was the game-winner in Western's 1-0 victory over Western Michigan on the road (Sept. 25)...His two assists came in Western's Summit League opener, a 3-0 shutout of Eastern Illinois...Owner of 2-2-6.

CHARLIE BALES NOTES: The sophomore defender has started every match for Western this season...Owner of a team-best 35 shots, and 17 on goal, which also ranks first on the squad...His four points and two assists each sit tied for third on the team...His 35 shots ranks second in the Summit League...Netted his first goal, a game-tying goal, of the season versus Dayton (Sept. 11)...Both assists were earned in the Leathernecks' 4-0 victory over DePaul (Sept. 17)...Owner of 1-2-4.

ALEXIS DOMINGUEZ NOTES: The senior midfielder has played in every game for Western this season, starting 12 of them...Has tallied 21 shots, 10 on goal (tied for third on the team)...Owner of one goal, a team-best four assists, and six points (sits tied for second on the team)...Scored his first goal of the year, a game-winner in overtime, in Western's 1-0 victory over IUPUI (Oct. 15)...Assisted on Daniel Lewis' game-winner over Marquette (Sept. 4)...Recorded two assists in Western's 4-0 win over DePaul (Sept. 17)...Added his fourth assist of the season in the Western's Summit League opener, a 3-0 shutout victory over Eastern Illinois...Owner of 1-4-6.

DIEGO GONZALEZ NOTES: Has played in 11 games for Western this season, coming off the bench for all of them...Owner of eight shots, four on goal, and two goals, both game-winners...Scored the game-winner against Dayton (Sept. 11)...Scored the lone goal, a game-winner in Western's 1-0 victory over Valparaiso (Oct. 2)...Owner of 1-0-2.

AARON APPEL NOTES: The junior midfielder has started every game for Western this season...Owner of eight shots, three on goal...Has recorded one goal and one assist on the year...Earned the team's first assist of the season on Esangbedo's goal versus Drake (Aug. 29)...Recorded his first goal of the season in the Leathernecks 4-0 win over DePaul (Sept. 17)...Owner of 1-1-3.

MARIANO LEO NOTES: The senior midfielder has played in nine games for Western this season, starting all of them...Has nine shots, three shots on goal this season...Has earned three helpers in 2011...Assisted on the game-winner over Dayton (Sept. 11)...Earned his second assist of the season in Western's 4-0 win over DePaul (Sept. 17)...His third assist came in Western's Summit League opener, a 3-0 shutout victory over Eastern Illinois...Owner of 0-3-3.

KOOTEN JOHNSON NOTES: The senior defender has played in 11 games for Western this season, starting all of them...One of two captains for this year's team...Owner of 11 shots, four on goal...Netted his first goal of 2011 in Western's 4-0 win over DePaul (Sept. 17)...Owner of 1-0-2.

HILARY ESANGBEDO NOTES: The junior defenseman has played in 11 games for Western this season, starting in all of them...Owner of two shots, both on goal...Scored Western's first goal of 2011 at home versus Drake (Aug. 29)...Owner of 1-0-2.

MARIO ALVAREZ NOTES: The freshman midfielder has played in nine games for Western this season, starting two...Owner of six shots, two on goal...Recorded his first career goal in Western's 3-0 shutout victory over Eastern Illinois (Sept. 30)...Owner of 1-0-2.

TORRANCE BROWN NOTES: The freshman defender has played in 13 games for Western this season, starting 10 of them...Owner of three shots, one on goal...Scored Western's first goal of its 3-0 shutout over Eastern Illinois, the first of his career (Sept. 30)...Owner of 1-0-2.

ADRIAN LOYOCANO NOTES: The senior defenseman has played in 11 games for Western this season, starting one of them...Earned his first assist of 2011 in Western's 1-0 victory over Eastern Illinois (Sept. 30)...Owner of 0-1-1.

MATT CARLSON NOTES: The junior midfielder has played in nine games for Western this season, coming off the bench for all of them...Assisted on Western's lone goal in the shutout victory over Valparaiso (Oct. 2)...Owner of 0-1-1.

EBENEZER MENGISTU NOTES: The freshman defenseman has played in eight games for Western this season, coming off the bench for all of them...Owner of three shots, one on goal...Assisted on Western's lone goal in the shutout victory over Valparaiso (Oct. 2)...Owner of 0-1-1.