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Western Illinois University Athletics

Drew Whalen
1
Western Illinois WIU (0-4-1)
2
Winner Detroit DETROIT (1-2-2)
Western Illinois WIU
(0-4-1)
1
Final
2
Detroit DETROIT
(1-2-2)
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Western Illinois WIU 1 0 1
Detroit DETROIT 1 1 2

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

Leathernecks Fall to Detroit, 2-1, at Radisson Invitational

Western Illinois closes out play Sunday (Sept. 13) against Western Michigan

KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Western Illinois men's soccer team opened play in the 2015 Radisson Invitational on Friday, September 11, with a contest against the Titans of Detroit. Drew Whalen netted the first goal of the game, but it wasn't enough as the Leathernecks dropped a 2-1 decision. Western falls to 0-4-1 on the year while the Titans move to 1-2-2.
 
"A good game for us today. We improved in a lot of parts throughout the course of the game," said head coach Dr. Eric Johnson. "We gave up two goals though and have to work that out. We were a little more fluid going forward and were able to score a nice goal. Had a couple of other chances so the game could have gone the other way. Our guys pulled together and fought for 90 minutes and we are making progress in the right direction."
 
It didn't take long for the Purple and Gold to get on the board as the team opened the scoring in the fifth minute on the first shot of the game. Senior Drew Whalen found himself inside the box, and his strike beat the keeper to the top corner to give Western the early 1-0 lead. For Whalen, it was his first goal of the season and fifth in his WIU career. Whalen nearly picked up his second goal in the 19th minute, as his attempt was on target, but saved by the Titans keeper Nathan Steinwascher.
 
Less than a minute later, Detroit was able to counter the WIU attack and put one in the back of the net, as Tyler Moorman beat WIU's Sam Copp to his right to even the score at 1-all. An assist from Spiro Pliakos set up Moorman's tally, his first of the season.
 
As the half came to a close, the Leathernecks had one more look at target, once again from Whalen. Following a Titan yellow card, the ensuing free kick found Whalen's head in the box. His redirection was on target, but stopped by Steinwascher, and the two teams would head to the half tied at one. Whalen paced the Purple and Gold on the afternoon, as he tallied a game-high six shots.
 
 To open play in the second half, Western Illinois turned to Bruce Corrie in net. A freshman alongside Copp, Corrie made his regular season debut in Friday's contest. The Washington native would be called upon early as the Titans had a header on frame, but Corrie was there for his first save of the season.
 
Western had a golden opportunity to score in the 62nd minute, as Diego Lopez and Whalen each had shots on goal within 10 seconds of each other. Both strikes were saved by Detroit's netminder, and the two squads would play on even at one goal a piece.
 
Detroit broke through in the 75th minute as Don Nakashima tallied his first goal of the season following a passing sequence from Spencer Steinwascher and Alex Mendonca. The sequence found Nakashima in front of the net and he was able to poke it by Corrie to give the Titans a one-goal lead. The lead would stand over the final 15 minutes, as the game concluded with a score of 2-1 in favor of Detroit.
 
The Leathernecks close out tournament play on Sunday, September 13, as the Purple and Gold play tournament hosts Western Michigan at 1 p.m. (CT).
  
 
 
 
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