MACOMB, Ill. – The Western Illinois women's soccer team looks to earn its first victory of the season as it welcomes Eastern Illinois and Kansas City to Macomb on August 28 and 30. Friday's match against the Panthers is slated for a 3 p.m. start, followed by a 1 p.m. kick off on Sunday. Both matches will be held on the northwest field behind Brophy Hall and fans are encouraged to bring their own seating. 
 
A LOOK AT EASTERN ILLINOIS: The Panthers come to Macomb following a 6-0 loss at home against Northern Kentucky, dropping them to 0-1-1 on the season... Eastern opened its season at IUPUI on August 21 in a game that ended in a double-overtime 0-0 draw… EIU compiled a 2-15-2 record (1-8-1 OVC) a season ago... Senior Chris Reed leads the Panthers offensively after scoring five goals during the 2014 season... Goalkeeper Maddie Lyon has made 22 saves in two matches as a freshman... The Panthers are led by former Western Illinois assistant women's soccer coach Jason Cherry, who enters his third season at the helm of Eastern's program.
 
SERIES HISTORY: The in-state rivals met 15 consecutive times from 1997 to 2011…Western trails the all-time series 4-9-2… The most recent meeting between the Leathernecks and the Panthers was in 2011 where WIU fell 1-0 in Charleston.  
 
A LOOK AT KANSAS CITY: The 'Roos come into Sunday's contest 2-0 on the year with victories against Drake and Creighton... After opening its season with a 1-0 win against the Bulldogs, Kansas City earned a 2-1 come-from-behind win against the Bluejays… Last season, the 'Roos garnered a 13-5-3 (8-1-1 WAC) record and went on to earn a WAC conference title… So far in the young season, sophomore Nikki Lynch leads the way for the 'Roos offensively with two goals… After playing in 19 games last season, senior Nina Tzianos will return in goal… She has compiled 12 saves so far in 2015… Kansas City returns six starters, but lost its top four scorers who combined for 28 of the 'Roos 54 goals a season ago… The 'Roos will play 1-1-0 Missouri State on the road on Friday before heading to Macomb on Sunday.
 
SERIES HISTORY: Western has won three out of the five meetings between the Leathernecks and the Kangaroos… The two teams met last season in Kansas City where the Leathernecks fell 3-0.
 
LAST TIME OUT: The Leathernecks went on the road to face Milwaukee on Friday, August 21, for the 2015 regular season opener… Western lost the match 1-0, falling to 0-1-0 on the year…Senior Victoria Kappel stood out defensively with five saves.

WEEKEND OF FIRSTS: Five players made their Purple and Gold debut on Friday's regular season opener... Ashley Kuhlmann and Maddie Wilsey each recorded their first career start... Madeline Edwards, Kayla Kirkwood, and Caitlin Rerucha all came off the bench and saw key minutes as well.
 

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