MACOMB, Ill. - The Western Illinois Fighting Leatherneck men's soccer squad played to a 1-1 draw at home with the Drake Bulldogs Monday (Aug. 29).
"We didn't start well because our mental preparation was not where it needed to be," said head coach Eric Johnson. "Great goal by Hilary (Esangbedo), and nice goal by them, but we allowed theirs because we left a couple of guys unmarked. I am very pleased we were able to get our first goal of the season and I think we learned a couple of things out there today."
The Bulldogs jumped out to a 1-0 lead Monday afternoon at the 3:36 mark when Drake sophomore Logan North took the ball down the right side of the field, centered it to senior Michael Noonan who found the back of the net using a bicycle kick.
After surrendering the early goal, Western answered to knot things up when senior junior Aaron Appel found first-year Leatherneck Hilary Esangbedo who finished high, far post.
The goal marked the first of the season for Western.
A scoreless second half saw Western continue to out shoot Drake, 7-3. Regulation would end with the score, 1-1, and sent the game into overtime.
During the two overtime periods, Western continued to pressure the Bulldogs with five shots, a couple of which nearly found the back of the net.
Total shots favored the Leathernecks, 20-12.
Senior goalkeeper Andy Ryan finished the contest with five saves, while Bulldogs goaltender Jordan Kadlec stopped eight shots.
With the tie, Western's record moves to 0-1-1, and the Bulldogs are now 1-0-1.
Western will travel to Milwaukee, Wisconsin to participate in the Panther Invitational. The Leathernecks will face Milwaukee Friday (Sept. 2) at 7:30 p.m. and Marquette Sunday (Sept. 4) at noon.
