Dr. Eric Johnson Announces 2014 Men's Soccer Slate

MACOMB, Ill. - Head coach Dr. Eric Johnson announced the 2014 men's soccer schedule on Thursday (June 5), featuring seven regular season home games and participation in a pair of tournaments.

Following exhibition contests at Northern Illinois (Aug. 16) and at home against Loyola (Aug. 23), Western Illinois opens the regular season against UNLV and San Jose State at a tournament hosted by Bradley from Aug. 29-31.

After a Sept. 5 contest against 2012 College Cup qualifiers Creighton, the Leathernecks play host to Green Bay for the home-opener on Sept. 7.

WIU then competes in the High Point Plaza Classic from Sept. 12-14, with contests scheduled against High Point and Radford.

The Leathernecks also have nonconference road contests at Valparaiso (Sept. 19), Northern Kentucky (Sept. 28) and Drake (Oct. 21).

Other nonconference home games include Western Michigan (Sept. 21), Milwaukee (Oct. 7) and Loras (Oct. 13).

The Summit League portion of the schedule opens with a pair of home games versus Fort Wayne (Oct. 4) and Omaha (Oct. 11).

Then, the Leathernecks return to the road for games at affiliate conference member Eastern Illinois (Oct. 18) and IUPUI (Oct. 25).

Western's home finale is Nov. 1 against Oral Roberts, before taking on defending Summit League champions Denver in the final regular season contest Nov. 8.

The Leathernecks will aim to return to the Summit League Tournament, which will take place at Denver the following weekend.

"We're really excited about the 2014 schedule," Johnson said. "Two very competitive tournaments along with Green Bay and Creighton to start the year and there is potentially enough RPI strength to at least give us a chance for an at-large bid if we get hot and get a streak going. Most importantly, the non-league schedule in September will help prepare us for the Summit League and give us an idea of how we can succeed and get to the tournament."

In 2013, Western Illinois upset second-seeded Oral Roberts in the opener of the Summit League Tournament before falling to top-seeded Denver on a second-half goal in the title game. The Leathernecks finished with a 6-13 overall record.

During an undefeated 2014 spring season, WIU posted wins over Wisconsin, Loyola, Northern Illinois, Lincoln College and Quincy and ties against Bradley, SIU-Edwardsville and Kennedy King to finish 5-0-3.

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