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WIU Athletics
2
Winner Western Ill. WIU (2-3-1)
1
High Point HPU (2-2-1)
Winner
Western Ill. WIU
(2-3-1)
2
Final
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High Point HPU
(2-2-1)
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Western Ill. WIU 1 1 2
High Point HPU 0 1 1

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

Sophomores Lead Leathernecks to 2-1 Victory over High Point

Drew Whalen and Jacob Bevan each notched a goal in Sunday's match.

HIGH POINT, N.C. - Western Illinois men's soccer (2-3-1) wrapped up a succesful weekend on Sunday (Sept. 14) with a 2-1 win over High Point off of a Drew Whalen gamewinner. The victory capped off a championship performance by the Leathernecks at the High Point Plaza Classic.

"It was a gutsy team performance," said head coach Dr. Eric Johnson in regards to the High Point match. "We worked very hard defensively as a team and we were rewarded with a win. High Point really pressed our back line all game and we withstood the challenge. Our wing play going forward was better and we got two goals from wide play. (Mario) Alvarez was very good and dominated the center of the pitch."

Western struck first in the 26th minute of the game when sophomore Jacob Bevan chipped in his second goal of the weekend, and season, over High Point's goalkeeper off of an Oscar Ortega assist. The remaining 19 minutes proved to be a defensive battle with both teams managing only five shots apiece as the first half closed with the Purple and Gold leading 1-0.

High Point would open the second half with a strike of their own in the 54th minute, on a Ben Burdon shot from the 18 yard line. The Panthers and Leathernecks battled, remaining knotted up at one until the 79th minute when Bevan would strike again. This time the sophomore's point would come in the form of an assist on a well placed cross to the head of fellow second year Drew Whalen, his first goal of 2014 and fourth of his career. Whalen's header put the Leathernecks up 2-1 and prove to be the gamewinner as a last-second corner kick from High Point would prove fruitless.

In addition to an undefeated weekend, the Purple and Gold placed four Leathernecks on the All-Tournament team including, Charlie Bales, Drew Whalen, Mario Alvarez, and Jacob Bevan. A strong defensive backline, led by Bales and juniors Ephraim Okeke and Kyle Walton, limited the Panthers to only four shots on goal and three saves from senior goalkeeper Yves Dietrich.

Western's next match is scheduled for this Friday (Sept. 19) as they travel to Valparaiso, Indiana, for a showdown with the Crusaders. The Leathernecks then return home for a non-conference faceoff against Western Michigan on Sunday (Sept. 21) at 2:30 p.m. on John MacKenzie Alumni Field.
 
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