MACOMB, Ill. – The Western Illinois women's soccer team will wrap up a four-match road series against Missouri State on Sunday, September 20, in Springfield, Missouri at 1 p.m. as nonconference play comes to a close.
 
The Leathernecks (1-6-0) are on the hunt for their first win since August 28, a 3-2 double-overtime victory against Eastern Illinois at home. Brianna Hughes, Ashley Kuhlmann, Meagan Wilson, and Skyler Jessop have each scored one goal apiece this season. Jessop and Madeline Edwards lead the team in shots with 13 and 10, respectively. Victoria Kappel has spent the majority of the season in goal for the Purple and Gold with 27 saves and 15 goals allowed. Following Sunday's match, Western will return home to open Summit League play against Fort Wayne on October 2.
 
A LOOK AT THE BEARS: The Bears have garnered a 4-2-1 record so far in 2015. Missouri State is currently on a two-match win streak with 2-1 road victories over Central Arkansas and Little Rock on September 11 and 13. Alix Opfer has scored six of the team's ten goals this season. Brooke Prondzinski, Cassie Le, and Lauren Fussell each have one goal apiece. Goalkeeper Jessica Perry has spent over 640 minutes in goal and has compiled 35 saves while allowing 11 goals. The Bears will play at SIU-Edwardsville on Friday, September 18, before welcoming Western to Springfield.
 
SERIES HISTORY: The Leathernecks and the Bears have faced off three times in program history with WIU trailing the all-time series 1-2-0. Western picked up the 1-0 victory in Springfield for the team's first meeting in 2007, but have since dropped consecutive matches in 2012 and 2013, both by a score of 1-0.
 
LAST TIME OUT: On Friday, September 11, the Leathernecks traveled to Clarksville, Tennessee, for a match against Austin Peay State where they fell 7-1. Hughes scored the lone goal for Western off of an assist from Caitlin Rerucha, and Kappel had six saves in the defeat. On Sunday, September 13, the Leathernecks looked to rebound on the road against SIU-Edwardsville, but dropped the match by a score of 1-0. Edwards led the squad with two shots on goal, but couldn't find the back of the net on either. Despite the lone goal, the Western defense was in full force, limiting the Cougars to just seven shots throughout the match.
 

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