Men's Soccer Monday, October 31, 2011

Leathernecks to Face Evansville in Nonconference Tilt Tuesday

MACOMB, Ill. - The Western Illinois men's soccer squad, who captured the Summit League regular season title this past Saturday, will travel to Evansville, Ind. to face the Purple Aces of Evansville Tuesday evening. The Leathernecks (9-5-1, 4-1 Summit League) and the Purple Aces (5-9-1, 0-4-1 Missouri Valley) are set to begin at 7 p.m.

LAST TIME ON THE PITCH: The Leathernecks defeated the UMKC Kangaroos 3-2 Saturday in double-overtime on the road, capturing the 2011 Summit League regular season title. Seniors Daniel Lewis and Alexis Dominguez tallied Western's first two goals, while junior Husref Jupic scored the game-winner in the second overtime (recap HERE | box score & play-by-play HERE).

THE BREAKDOWN

WHO: Western Illinois (9-5-1, 4-1-0 Summit League) vs. Evansville (5-9-1, 0-4-1 Missouri Valley)
WHEN: Tuesday, Nov. 1 at 7 p.m.
LOCATION: Evansville, Ind.

STADIUM: Arad McCutchan Stadium (2,500)
LIVE STATS: HERE
TWITTER: HERE

THE SUMMIT LEAGUE STANDINGS

Team	Summit League	Overall
Western Illinois	4-1-0	9-5-1
UMKC	2-2-2	5-8-3
IPFW	2-2-1	6-9-2
IUPUI	2-2-1	6-9-2
Oral Roberts	2-2-1	5-9-1
Oakland	2-3-0	5-11-1
Eastern Illinois	1-3-1	7-7-1

WEEKLY/TEAM NOTES

A LOOK AT THE PURPLE ACES: Evansville, a member of the Missouri Valley Conference, enters Tuesday night's match with a 5-9-1 record, and are 0-4-1 in Missouri Valley contests...This past Saturday, the Purple Aces dropped a league-match to the Bradley Braves, 2-1 (recap located HERE | box score located HERE)...Through the first 15 games of the season Jesse Sharp leads the Purple Aces with 15 points, coming from four goals and seven assists...A total of 11 Purple Aces have found the back of the net at least once this season, while 12 have recorded at least one assist...In net, Eric Teppen leads Evansville in net, having started 13 matches, posting 60 saves, allowing 18 goals, giving him a 1.36 goals against average, a .769 save percentage and a 4-8-1 record...The Purple Aces are coached by head coach Mike Jacobs (Pace '93). Jacobs is in the midst of his 6th season and owns a 52-51-6 record during his time at Evansville.

SERIES HISTORY: Western Illinois is 1-4 all-time against Evansville...Last season the Leathernecks earned their first-ever victory over Evansville, 3-1 at home (recap located HERE | box score and play-by-play located HERE).

REGULAR SEASON CHAMPIONS: The Western Illinois Fighting Leatherneck men's soccer team earned a 3-2 double-overtime victory on the road over the UMKC Kangaroos on Oct. 29th to capture the 2011 Summit League regular season title...The regular season crown marks the fourth of its kind since the Leathernecks joined the Summit League (1995, 2000, 2006 and 2011); the last three under the guidance of head coach Dr. Eric Johnson...Finishing atop the regular season standings also guarantees Western the #1-seed in the 2011 Summit League Soccer Championship. The 2011 tournament takes place in Kansas City, Mo. on November 11th and 13th.

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 168-190-30 (.471) and a record of 125-137-27 (.478) 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 (Last updated 10/25): The Leathernecks rank in the top-three of several Summit League categories. The Leathernecks rank first in the following categories: goals allowed per game (0.79), goals against average (0.77), shutout percentage (.50), corners per game (6.21), offsides per game (2.79), and winning percentage (.750). Second in the following categories: shots (14.71) and assists per game (1.36). Third in the following categories: assists (19), saves (5.14) and fouls (186). Individually, Charlie Bales ranks second in shots (36) and shots per game (2.57)...Daniel Lewis and Nathan Bruinsma sit tied for third in shots per game (2.36)...Nathan Bruinsma sits tied for second in game-winning goals (3)...Andy Ryan ranks first in save percentage (.868), goals against average (.75), shutouts (7), and shutout percentage (.54), while ranking second in saves (66), and third in saves per game (5.08). To view all Summit League stats, click HERE.

IN THE NATION (Last updated 10/25): The Leathernecks rank in the top-50 of four team categories, including: 6th in save percentage (.869), T19th in shutout percentage (.50), 20th in goals against average (.77), and 26th in saves per game (5.21). Individually, senior goalkeeper Andy Ryan ranks in the top-50 of four national categories, including: 7th in save percentage (.868), 24th in goal against average (.755), 27th in saves per game (5.08), and T-29th total saves (66). To view all national stats, click HERE.

SUMMIT LEAGUE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Western Illinois senior goalkeeper Andy Ryan was named Summit League 'Defensive Player of the Week' for the fourth time this season last Monday (Oct. 24). Ryan previously earned the honor on September 6th, September 19th, and October 3rd...Releases on Ryan earning the awards can be found HERE (Sept. 6), HERE (Sept. 19), HERE (Oct. 3), and HERE (Oct. 24).

RPI RANKINGS: The most recent release of the Division I Men's Soccer RPI is now available (records are through games played 10/25); the Leathernecks rank 87th in the nation. To view the complete list, click HERE.

AGAINST OUR OPPONENTS: Western has been outshot by its opponents this season, 247-221, but have put more shots on goal than their opponents, 95-88...The Leathernecks have also scored more goals, 20-13, own a better shooting percentage, .090-.053, and a better shots-on-goal percentage, .430-.356...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 (Release HERE). 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.

SENIORS: Last Saturday's home match was 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.

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.

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 14 of the Leathernecks 15 matches this season...One of two captains for this year's team...Ryan owns a 9-4-1 mark...Owner of 68 saves, a .850 save percentage and 0.83 goals per game average...Ryan was named Summit League 'Defensive Player of the Week' for the fourth time this season last Monday (Oct. 24)...Releases on Ryan earning the awards can be found HERE (Sept. 6), HERE (Sept. 19), HERE (Oct. 3), and HERE (Oct. 24)...Ryan was 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 (.868), goals against average (.75), shutouts (7), and shutout percentage (.54), while ranking second in saves (66), and third in saves per game (5.08)...Nationally, ranks in the top-50 of four national categories, including: 7th in save percentage (.868), 24th in goal against average (.755), 27th in saves per game (5.08), and T-29th total saves (66).

DANIEL LEWIS NOTES: The senior midfielder has started every match for Western this season...Lewis ranks first on the team in goals (4), tied for first with nine points, second in shots (35), and tied for second in shots on goal (16)...Scored the first goal of the game in Western's 3-2 double-overtime win against UMKC (Oct. 29)...Earned his first assist of the season on Nathan Bruinsma's game-winner over Oakland (Oct. 22)...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 4-1--9.

HUSREF JUPIC NOTES: The junior midfielder has played in 14 matches for Western this season, starting 12 of them...Owner of 26 shots, 11 on goal, three goals, three assists, and nine points...His nine points ranks tied for first on the team, while his three assists sits tied for second... Recorded the game-winning goal of Western's 3-2 double-overtime win against UMKC (Oct. 29)...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 3-3-9.

NATHAN BRUINSMA NOTES: The junior forward has played in all 15 matches for Western this season, starting 13 of them...Owner of eight points this season which ranks tied for second on the team...His 35 shots sits tied for second, and his 12 shots on goal are the third most of his teammates...His three goals (all game-winners which is a team-best) is tied for second on the team, and his two assists sits tied for third...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)... Bruinsma's recorded his third goal of the season, the game-winner, in Western's 1-0 victory over Oakland (Oct. 22)...His two assists came in Western's Summit League opener, a 3-0 shutout of Eastern Illinois...Owner of 3-2-8.

ALEXIS DOMINGUEZ NOTES: The senior midfielder has played in every game for Western this season, starting 14 of them...Has tallied 23 shots, 11 on goal...Owner of two goals, a team-best four assists, and eight points (sits tied for second on the team)... Recorded the second goal of the game in Western's 3-2 double-overtime win against UMKC (Oct. 29)...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 2-4-8.

CHARLIE BALES NOTES: The sophomore defender has started every match for Western this season...Owner of 37 shots and 18 on goal, both of which rank first on the squad...Has four points to date, made up of one goal and two assists...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.

DIEGO GONZALEZ NOTES: Has played in 13 games for Western this season, coming off the bench for all of them...Owner of nine 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 11 shots, four 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 11 games for Western this season, starting all of them...Has 12 shots, four 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 14 games for Western this season, starting all of them...One of two captains for this year's team...Owner of 12 shots, five 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 13 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 11 games for Western this season, starting two...Owner of eight 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 15 games for Western this season, starting 12 of them...Owner of four shots, two 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 13 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 10 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 nine 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.

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