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MSOC_ORUSL_FP
Evert Nelson
2
Winner Western Ill. WIU (9-6-3)
1
Oral Roberts ORU (8-8-2)
Winner
Western Ill. WIU
(9-6-3)
2
Final
1
Oral Roberts ORU
(8-8-2)
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Western Ill. WIU 1 1 2
Oral Roberts ORU 0 1 1

Game Recap: Men's Soccer | | WIU Athletic Communications

Men's Soccer Advances Past Oral Roberts to Summit League Tournament Final

Goals from Fernando Pacheco and Jacob Bevan helped Western Illinois defeat Oral Roberts 2-1 on Friday (Nov. 14).

DENVER, Colo. - Heavy snowfall on Wednesday, a 28 hour delay Thursday, and temperatures hovering around freezing would not keep Western Illinois men's soccer from defeating Oral Roberts 2-1 on Friday (Nov. 14) in The Summit League Tournament Semifinal.

Goals from Fernando Pacheco and Jacob Bevan, combined with nine saves from Yves Dietrich would be the difference maker, helping the Leathernecks advance to Sunday's final game at 2 p.m. (CT) against Denver who defeated Fort Wayne 3-0 in the second semifinal.

"The team raised their level today. It was a solid performance from everyone who played," said head coach Dr. Eric Johnson. "ORU is a tough opponent, and they really made us work. Now it is back to work to see if we can raise the bar again and put in a better showing against Denver."

In the opening minutes of the match, the slippery field conditions would become quickly apparent with athletes from both teams slipping often on the frozen pitch. Despite the less-than-ideal field conditions, Western would take the advantage early on a goal from Fernando Pacheco in the 11th minute with Ben Fiddes sending in a cross from a Mario Alvarez pass, Pacheco's first career tally. 

As the half progressed, WIU would hold the advantage in possession, limiting the Golden Eagles to just two total shots in the first 45 minutes. Senior goalkeeper Yves Dietrich would only be required to make one save in the opening half. However, it was a stop done in typical Dietrich fashion, as the captain went from post to post to keep the Leathernecks in the lead, 1-0. 

The first half would come to a close with the Purple and Gold holding the advantage in shots (8-2), shots on goal (3-1), and goals.

The second half would open with Oral Roberts brining a more aggressive attack as the Golden Eagles notched 13 shots in the final 45 minutes. Opportunistic saves from Dietrich would keep ORU off the scoreboard, and an insurance goal from sophomore, Jacob Bevan in the 84th minute would all but seal the win for Western.

Oral Robert's Griffith Poindexter managed to keep the Golden Eagles from getting shut out as he fired a 10-yard shot past Dietrich as the final horn sounded, making the final score 2-1. The win keeps Western undefeated against ORU in the league tournament with an all-time record of 4-0-1 versus the Golden Eagles in postseason play.

Poindexter's goal would keep Dietrich from his 15th career shutout. However, the senior's nine saves gives him a career-high 95 stops this season, moving him just four saves from tying Western's all-time career record held by Mike Bristol. 

Pacheco's early goal gives the sophomore his first-career game-winner, and Bevan's tally marks his fourth this season, sixth in his career.

Other shooters for Western included Mario Alvarez (3), Diego Lopez (3), Charlie Bales (2), Ephraim Okeke (2), and five other Leathernecks  with one, giving WIU 16 shots on the game to ORU's 15.

The Purple and Gold get the day off on Saturday before taking on Denver in Sunday's (Nov. 16) Summit League Tournament Final at CIBER Field in Denver, Colorado. Kickoff is slated for 2 p.m. (CT). The winner receives an automatic berth in the NCAA Tournament. 

Fans can follow all the action on Sunday by going to GoLeathernecks.com and clicking on the link for live stats or by watching the live video stream provided by Altitude Sports for a small fee.

 
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