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Western Illinois WIU (0-1-0)
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Winner UNLV UNLV (1-0-0)
Western Illinois WIU
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UNLV UNLV
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Western Illinois WIU 0 1 0 1
UNLV UNLV 1 0 1 2

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

Leathernecks Fall in Overtime to UNLV

WIU men's soccer open 2014 season with 2-1 overtime loss.



PEORIA, Ill. - Western Illinois men's soccer opened the 2014 regular season with a 2-1 overtime loss to the UNLV Rebels on day one of the Hotels at Grand Prairie Classic hosted by Bradley on Friday (Aug. 29). 

In a game that featured an hour delay in the middle of the first half, Western's lone goal came as an equalizer off the foot of forward Armel Kouassi on a Bed Fiddes assist in the 48th minute. Kouassi's strike was the freshman's first career goal as a Leatherneck, but was not enough to lift the Purple and Gold to victory. 

"We had a good second half," said head coach Dr. Eric Johnson. "We deserve better than 2-1 but that's the way the ball rolls sometimes."

UNLV struck first on an 18 yard blast from Rodrigo Fuentes in the 19th minute that senior goalkeeper Yves Dietrich got a hand on. Shortly after the Rebels' goal, the game was sent into a delay due to a thunderstorm rolling through the area. After 57 minutes, play resumed and the Leathernecks held off the Rebels' attack until halftime. Following the break the Leathernecks quickly tied the game on Kouassi's shot in the 48th minute. Western and UNLV both failed to score again in regulation, but the game was quickly ended  just one minute and 57 seconds into overtime on a Connor Coletti freekick that was deflected into the back of the net.

UNLV, who was picked to finish second in the WAC, outshot Western 16-9 while the Leathernecks, led by sophomore Jacob Bevan's three shots, were more efficient, placing 66% of their shots on goal compared to the Rebels 33%. WIU's Yves Dietrich made three saves and played all 92 minutes. Dietrich's three saves puts the senior just six saves from 7th place in Western history. 

The Leathernecks next opponent is the San Jose State Spartans. The Leathernecks and Spartans will face off on Sunday (Aug. 31) at 12 p.m. as a part of the Hotels at Grand Prairie Classic hosted by Bradley in Peoria, Ill. Live stats and video streaming will be available (live stream is subscription only; 24hr packages available) for Sunday's game. Fans can also follow the Leathernecks on twitter @WIUMensSoccer.
 
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