MACOMB, Ill. - The Western Illinois men's soccer team heads to Kansas City, Missouri, this Saturday, September 19, for a matchup against former Summit League foe Kansas City. The contest between the Kangaroos (2-2-1) and the Leathernecks (0-5-1) is set to begin at 1 p.m. Following Saturday's contest, the Purple and Gold return home to face Loras on Monday, September 21. The game against the Duhawks (4-0-1) is set to begin at 5 p.m.
A LOOK AT THE OPPONENTS: Kansas City dropped a 4-0 decision to Drake its last time out to move to 2-2-1 on the year under 18th-year head coach Rick Benben. The 'Roos have been outscored 7-5 on the year and have been led offensively by Roberto Albuquerque and Pandellis Popgeorgiev, who have each tallied two goals on the year. Ryan Tome and Henrik Regitnig handle the goalkeeping duties, as each has appeared in three contests this year. Loras enters the contest currently ranked No. 6 in the Division III rankings, according the to NSCAA. The Duhawks, who average two goals per game, are paced by Johnny Rummelhart, Jorge Simon, and Austin Jacobi with two goals scored a piece. Jacob Peterson has recorded four shutouts for the Duhawks, who have made the NCAA tournament in each of the last 10 years. Former Loras soccer standout Dan Rothert enters his 18th season at the helm of the men's and women's programs.
SERIES HISTORIES: Western Illinois holds an 18-12-2 mark over Kansas City in the all-time series, with the two teams last meeting in the 2012 season. On November 9, 2012, Nathan Bruinsma scored an overtime winner to send WIU past Kansas City in the semifinals of The Summit League Tournament. Monday will mark the first-ever meeting between Western and Loras. The two schools were set to play each other a season ago, but inclimate weather forced the contest to be cancelled.
LAST TIME OUT: The Leathernecks dropped its final contest at the Radisson Invitational, falling to the tournament hosts, Western Michigan, by a final score of 1-0. The Leatherneck defense stood tall, as the Broncos tallied 18 shots on the afternoon. Freshman Bruce Corrie made his first start for the Leathernecks, registering seven saves. Austin Gochneaur and Drew Whalen were named to the All-Tournament Team following competition.
RETURNERS: Western Illinois returns a solid core from the 2014 team that made it to The Summit League championship game. Senior Erick Bloom, a First Team All-Summit League selection in 2014 anchors the back line while senior Austin Gochneaur, a Second Team honoree, leads the attack. Sophomore midfielders Jacob Bjornsen and Alejandro Pacheco were named to the All-Newcomer Team following the 2014 campaign.
FRESH FACES: The Leathernecks welcome nine new members to the 2015 roster. Freshmen Sam Copp, Bruce Corrie, Jamison Kozar, Nathan Bergstrom, and Josh Illana come off of standout prep careers. Sophomores Amadeo Ramon and Aziz Tahir join the program, as do juniors Nick Arnold and Johnathan Goliday.
WINNING LEGACY: Dr. Eric Johnson is the Summit League's all-time winningest coach, totaling 151 wins through his 18 years at the helm at Western Illinois. 2015 will mark Johnson's 19th season leading the Purple and Gold. He has earned the conference's 'Coach of the Year' award four times.
PRESEASON POLL: Western Illinois was picked to finish third in The Summit League's preseason poll, which was voted on by the league's coaches. Western collected 30 points, including two first-place votes, while Omaha (31 points, 2 first-place) and Denver (32 points, 3 first-place) led the way. For the first time in Summit League history, the top three teams were separated by one point each. |
