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Western Illinois University Athletics

Maclean Johnson
1
Western Illinois WIU (5-9-1, 2-3-0 Summit)
2
Winner IPFW IPFW (5-8-0, 2-2-0 Summit)
Western Illinois WIU
(5-9-1, 2-3-0 Summit)
1
Final
2
IPFW IPFW
(5-8-0, 2-2-0 Summit)
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Western Illinois WIU 0 1 1
IPFW IPFW 2 0 2

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

Late Goal Not Enough as Leathernecks Fall, 2-1, at Fort Wayne

Maclean Johnson's nets goal as Western falls to Mastodons on road

FORT WAYNE, Ind. – A late goal by Maclean Johnson wasn't enough for the Western Illinois men's soccer team Saturday (Oct. 24) evening, as the Leathernecks dropped a 2-1 decision on the road at Fort Wayne. Western, who had won its two previous Summit League contests, falls to 2-3 in league play and 5-9-1 overall, while the Mastodons move to 5-8 (2-2 Summit League) on the year.
 
"Tough loss tonight. We only gave up two shots in the first half but both were for goals," said head coach Dr. Eric Johnson. "We showed a lot of character in the second half and created numerous chances but  could only pull back the one goal. I felt we left everything on the field but it wasn't enough to overcome the two we gave up."

The Leathernecks were stunned early, as a defensive miscue led to the Mastondons' first goal in the eighth minute. Fort Wayne's Jacob Murphy stole an errant WIU pass and fired a shot from 15 yards out that beat freshman goalie Bruce Corrie.
 
The Purple and Gold nearly evened the score just one minute later, as Jacob Bevan put a shot on frame. His attempt was collected by Raphael Kotzock, who would have a busy night in net for the Mastodons.
 
In the 25th minute, Western looked to have evened the score at 1-all, as Diego Lopez had beaten the defense, but his shot hit the post to keep the deficit at one. Western would fire off seven shots in the opening 45 minutes, with two on target, but would head to halftime without a goal.
 
The 'Dons extended their one-goal lead to two in the final minutes of the first half, as Britt Watts beat Corrie from 10 yards out. It was the second shot of the night recorded by Fort Wayne.
 
Trailing by two to open the second half, the Leathernecks upped their offensive attack in the final 45 minutes. In the 54th minute, Maclean Johnson became the second Leatherneck to hit the post, as Western continued to battle in the contest.
 
Johnson's efforts would be rewarded in the 73rd minute, as his goal pulled WIU within one at 2-1 in favor of Fort Wayne. Following a Western corner by Alejandro Pacheco, Austin Gochneaur found the ball at his feet in the box. He juggled the ball off to Johnson on the left side who beat the keeper for his first goal of the season.
 
Western had a number of chances to score in the second half, as the team ripped off a total of nine shots in the half, four on target. Pacheco nearly evened the score six minutes after Johnson's goal, but his equalizer attempt found the hands of the Fort Wayne netminder. In the 89th minute, Jacob Bjornsen got his head on the ball inside the box, but once again Kotzock was there for the save. The save would be the last of the night as Fort Wayne picked up the three points with the 2-1 decision.

The Leathernecks held statistical advantages in shots (16-8), shots on goal (6-3), corner kicks (8-5), and committed fewer fouls (11-17), but were unable to collect the critical Summit League victory.
Western wraps up non-league play on Tuesday, October 27, as the team heads to Milwaukee to take on the Panthers. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m.
  
 
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