MACOMB, Ill. - Western Illinois men's soccer is set to continue Summit League play on Saturday with a contest against Eastern Illinois at John MacKenzie Alumni Field at 1 p.m.

The Leathernecks (1-8, 0-1) will look to take down the in-state rival Panthers (0-6-2, 0-0-1), who are affiliate members of the conference in men's soccer.
 

BREAKDOWN:
WHO: Western Illinois vs. Eastern Illinois
WHEN: Saturday, October 5 at 1 p.m.
WHERE: John MacKenzie Alumni Field
LIVE STATS: Click HERE

MATCH NOTES:

A LOOK AT THE PANTHERS: Eastern Illinois enters the contest with an 0-6-2 record, including 0-0-1 in the Summit League...Eastern Illinois most recently played Summit League foe IUPUI to a 1-1 tie...The Panthers are 0-4-1 in games away from home (0-2-1 at neutral sites)...Garet Christianson leads the squad in goals (4) and points (10) despite only having played in four games...Jake Brillhart and Will Butler are tied for the team lead with four assists apiece...Three different keepers have seen time in goal: Ben Feltes (0-3-1, 3.79 GAA, .628 save pct), Garrett Creasor (0-2-1, 2.16 GAA, .500 save pct) and Austin Miller (0-1, 3.00 GAA, .250 save pct)...EIU has allowed 3.25 goals per game.

SERIES HISTORY: Eastern Illinois leads the all-time series 30-14-5...The Panthers have more wins against Western Illinois than any other program...Western Illinois has won the past two contests, a 2-1 win last year and 3-0 win in 2011...In 2012, Mario Alvarez and Nathan Bruinsma each scored goals, with Charlie Bales and Drew Edmond tallying assists; Yves Dietrich made four saves in the win...The previous year, Husref Jupic, Mario Alvarez and Torrence Brown all scored, with current assistant coach Andy Ryan making three saves in the shutout.

THIS DATE IN HISTORY (Oct. 5): In 2007, the Leathernecks played #18 Creighton to a 1-1 tie...In 2001, Western Illinois topped IUPUI 2-1 behind two assists from Sean McMullen...The Leathernecks shut out Northeastern Illinois 3-0 in 1997, which was head coach Dr. Eric Johnson's fourth win with the program; WIU took 28 shots in the contest, fifth-most all-time.

LAST TIME OUT: Western Illinois fell in a nonconference match to Drake, 1-0...The Leathernecks took 12 shots in the second half, including seven on goal, but none found the back of the net...Yves Dietrich made four saves...Husref Jupic and Drew Whalen took two shots on goal apiece.

TOUGH COMPETITION: Five of the first six Western Illinois opponents were unbeaten heading into the match against the Leathernecks...Western Illinois' first seven opponents all had one loss or less heading into the game against WIU.

RECORD BOOK MOVEMENT: By recording his fifth career shutout at Jacksonville, Yves Dietrich moved into a three-way tie for ninth in program history...With a total of 129 career saves, he sits 10th in saves per game (4.30), fifth in goals against average (1.38), and 10th in save percentage (.750)...Since individual shot on goal statistics started being recorded in 2002, Husref Jupic ranks fourth in the program with 50.

ATOP THE SUMMIT: Several Leathernecks rank at the top of the conference in statistical categories...Husref Jupic is tied for second in goals with three...Yves Dietrich is third in saves (39) and save percentage (.696).

NATIONAL RANKINGS: Keeper Yves Dietrich ranks 28th in the country in saves (39) and 56th in saves per game (4.33).

TOUGH LUCK: Since the start of the 2012 season, 11 of the Leathernecks' 17 losses have come by just one goal, including six of the eight defeats this season.

GREAT DEBUT: Freshman Diego Lopez had a stellar debut weekend in Purple & Gold...He scored both Western Illinois goals, including his first collegiate goal at North Florida, and his first career game-winning goal at Jacksonville...His efforts earned him The Summit League's first 'Offensive Player of the Week' award of the season.

PRESEASON ALL-SUMMIT LEAGUE: Charlie Bales, Drew Edmond and Austin Gochneaur were named to the College Sports Madness Preseason All-League Team...Bales earned a First Team nod, while Edmond and Gochneaur received Second Team honors.

WINNING LEGACY: Dr. Eric Johnson is the Summit League's all-time winningest coach, totaling 137 wins through his time at the helm at Western Illinois...He has earned the conference's 'Coach of the Year' award four times.
 

Projected Starters:

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