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Western Illinois University Athletics

Soccer FP
0
Western Illinois WIU (0-1)
3
Winner Oakland OAKLAND (1-0)
Western Illinois WIU
(0-1)
0
Final
3
Oakland OAKLAND
(1-0)
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Western Illinois WIU 0 0 0
Oakland OAKLAND 1 2 3

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

Men’s Soccer Drops Season Opener at Oakland

Leathernecks Fall to Former Summit League Rival to Open 2015

ROCHESTER, Mich. – The Western Illinois men's soccer team kicked off the 2015 season with a 3-0 defeat at Oakland on Friday, August 28. Western, looking to knock off its former Summit League rival, fell to 0-1-0 on the season while the Golden Grizzlies moved to 1-0-0 with the decision.
 
"I'm disappointed with the result. We made a few mistakes defensively tonight and on three of those mistakes we were punished and Oakland scored," said head coach Dr. Eric Johnson. "All three could have been avoided with better positioning and better communication. We will take that into the next game and try to solve those problems. We had a better rhythm and possession and passed the ball pretty well to create some chances. "
 
Oakland jumped out the early lead, as Alex Serwatka opened the scoring in the 13th minute. Serwatka received a long cross from Matt Dudley and was able to beat Sam Copp with a header into the back of the net. Serwatka's day wouldn't be done, as he would tally another goal and an assist to end with seven points on the evening.
 
Western got its first look at target in the 16th as Diego Lopez looked to even things up, but his shot sailed wide to keep the score in favor of Oakland. Conrad Hagar and Jacob Bevan would each try to even things up in the opening half, but both of their attempts sailed high and Western would head to the break trailing 1-0.
 
Western came out firing in the second half and created three scoring chances within the first 14 minutes of play. In the 52nd and 58th minute, Bevan and Erick Bloom were each able to get a shot on frame, with both attempts being stopped by Wes Mink. Seconds after Bloom's attempt, Sammuel Worsley was inches away from evening the score as his shot hit the crossbar.
 
The Golden Grizzlies increased their lead to two in the 66th minute when Serwatka scored unassisted from five yards out following a Leatherneck miscue defensively. Austin Ricci would close out the scoring with a goal of his own in the 85th minute off of a Serwatka through ball from 10 yards out.
 
Western ended the game with eight shots, four on target. Copp played the entire match in net, recording three saves.
 
"The guys played hard and we looked better than we did in the first two games even though the score doesn't show that. I'm encouraged, there's hope, just need to get better and get more experience. We will see if we can rebound from this and play well and get a result at Bowling Green on Sunday."
 
Western returns to the field on Sunday, August 30, as the Leathernecks square off against Bowling Green in a nonconference battle. The Leathernecks and Falcons are set to begin at 12 p.m. (CT).
 
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