Skip To Main Content

Upcoming Events and Recent Results

Western Illinois University Athletics

MSOC FP
2
Winner Denver DEN (7-0-1 (1-0-0))
0
Western Illinois WIU (2-6-1 (0-1-0))
Winner
Denver DEN
(7-0-1 (1-0-0))
2
Final
0
Western Illinois WIU
(2-6-1 (0-1-0))
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Denver DEN 1 1 2
Western Illinois WIU 0 0 0

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

Upset Bid Falls Short as Leathernecks Drop 2-0 Decision to No. 12 Denver

Western Illinois returns to action on Saturday, October 3, facing Oral Roberts on the road

MACOMB, Ill. – The Western Illinois men's soccer team was back in action on Saturday, September 26, as the Leathernecks took on 12th ranked Denver in the opener of Summit League play. Western's bid to upset the Pioneers fell short, as Denver collected a 2-0 victory. The Purple and Gold fall to 2-6-1 (0-1-0 Summit League) on the year while Denver remains unbeaten at 7-0-1.
 
"We made an improvement but it wasn't a big enough of a jump yet. I'm encouraged that we played well and had some chances but am obviously a little discouraged by the score," said head coach Dr. Eric Johnson. "You want to open Summit League play with a win, we didn't get it done. You have to find a way to beat Denver and today we made a big step in figuring out how to do that because we had them held for quite awhile. They got one late in the first half and another late in the second half. They are good team but thought we made a step in today and hopefully we will continue to get better."

Alejandro Pacheco looked to jump out to an early lead on the visiting Pioneers, as Alejandro Pacheco ripped a shot just high of the target in the seventh minute. Less than a minute later, Diego Lopez put one on frame. Lopez's attempt was collected by the Denver goalie Dan Jackson, and the teams remained scoreless.
 
Through the middle portion of the first half, Denver was able to maintain possession and present constant pressure on the Leathernecks. The WIU defense held strong in front of freshman goalie Sam Copp until the 38th minute when Denver struck for the first goal of the afternoon. Frank Carsonie found the upper-left corner of the net for his first goal of the season. Carsonie's strike came off of Reagan Dunk's touch, the first of two assists for Dunk on the afternoon.
 
Jacob Bevan had a look at net in the 36th minute but his strike from just inside the box sailed high of the crossbar. Seconds before halftime, Austin Gochneaur found the ball inside the box, but his header skimmed past the post, and the Leathernecks would head to half trailing by a lone goal.
 
Coming out of halftime, the Leatherneck defense clamped down and controlled most of the action in the second half. Western, looking to even the score, had a prime chance behind the foot of Drew Whalen in the 68th minute. Whalen lined up from just outside the box, and his knuckling shot began to dip low and towards the far post. Denver's netminder made his best save of the afternoon as he was able to punch the ball wide of target and preserve the 1-0 lead.  
 
Denver built the advantage to two just four minutes later, with Andre Shinyashiki netting his third goal of the season. Dunk fed the ball across the front of the box and found a streaking Shinyashiki on the far post. The two goal lead would stand over the final 18 minutes of action.
 
The Leathernecks have a week before their next contest, as the Purple and Gold head to Tulsa, Oklahoma, to take on Oral Roberts in Summit League action. Western's contest against the Golden Eagles on Saturday, October 3, is set to begin at 7 p.m.
 
Print Friendly Version