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MSOC_Final_FP
Evert Nelson
1
Western Ill. WIU (9-7-3)
3
Winner Denver DEN (11-7-1)
Western Ill. WIU
(9-7-3)
1
Final
3
Denver DEN
(11-7-1)
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Western Ill. WIU 1 0 1
Denver DEN 2 1 3

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

Fighting Leathernecks Fall to Denver 3-1 in Summit League Tournament Final, Three Named to All-Tournament Team

Western Illinois men's soccer season came to a close on Sunday (Nov. 16) in a 3-1 loss to Denver at The Summit League Tournament.

DENVER, Colo. - Western Illinois men's soccer season came to a close on Sunday, November 16 as the Leathernecks fell to Denver 3-1 in The Summit League Tournament Final. Following the match, seniors Yves Dietrich, Charlie Bales, and Mario Alvarez were named to The Summit League All-Tournament Team. With the loss, Western concludes its season with a record of 9-7-3 (3-2-1). 

"We really stepped up today. The red card made it very difficult but we made a game of it," said head coach Dr. Eric Johnson. "We created several quality chances to start the second half, but couldn't find the equalizer. Denver is a quality side and played well. I hurt for our senior class. They should be proud of what they accomplished over their careers."

The match opened with both teams playing physically, and at the 6:03 mark, both teams would be booked; Denver with a yellow card, and Western with a red card, in potentially the most decisive play of the game.

Playing with just 10 men, Western would successfully hold off the Pioneer attack until the 26th minute, when Denver's Teddy Mullin would knock in a bouncing cross from five yards out. With the momentum in its favor, Denver would notch a second tally in the 30th minute. This time it would be Eric Kornenberg putting away a very technical pass from Kordistos 10 yards from the goal. 

However, playing down a man and two goals would not keep Western off the attack. In the 40th minute, WIU's Jacob Bevan would be tackled hard in Denver's penalty area, giving the Leathernecks a penalty kick. Senior captain Charlie Bales would step to the spot for the Purple and Gold, converting his fifth penalty kick of the year, and making the score 2-1, Western trailing.

In the final five minutes of the first half, both WIU and DU would be booked for yellow cards, but no more goals would be scored and the opening 45 would come to a close with the score still 2-1 in Denver's favor. 

The Leathernecks would open the second half with an intensified attack as Mario Alvarez, Alejandro Pacheco, and Jacob Bjornsen would all fire shots off in the opening minutes. Western would keep up the pressure with Austin Gochneaur creating multiple chances of his own, missing the frame just wide on a shot and a header.

However, in the 72nd minute, the Pioneers delivered a staggering blow to Western's hopes for a comeback when Teddy Mullin converted a penalty kick off of a WIU hand ball in the penalty area. With momentum seemingly back in Denver's favor, the Pioneer's kept the Leathernecks from creating any opportunities in the final 18 minutes. The clock would hit 90' with DU still leading 3-1, ending Western's season and sending Denver to the NCAA tournament. 

In their final game, seniors Charlie Bales, Yves Dietrich, Torrence Brown, Drew Whalen, Marion Alvarez, Oscar Ortega and Zachary Walsh all ended successful careers with the Purple and Gold in which all seven won at least one Summit League Tournament title and combined for numerous season and career marks in Western Illinois' record book. 

Upon their return to Macomb, Coach Johnson and the Leathernecks will begin preparation for 2015 and yet another return to The Summit League Tournament. 
 
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