MACOMB, Ill. – The Western Illinois women's soccer team returns home for the first time in nearly a month to open Summit League play. The Leathernecks will take on the Mastodons of Fort Wayne on Friday, October 2, at 3 p.m. On Sunday (October 4), Western will play one last nonconference match against Indiana State at 1 p.m.
 
The Leathernecks (1-7-0) 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. Madeline Edwards and Jessop lead the team in shots with 14 and 13, respectively. Victoria Kappel has spent 680 minutes in goal for the Purple and Gold with 34 saves and 17 goals allowed. This will be the first match for Western since September 20. Following this weekend's home series, the Leathernecks will hit the road again for a pair of Summit League contests against Oral Roberts and Omaha.
 
A LOOK AT THE MASTODONS: Fort Wayne comes to Macomb with a 2-8-1 record and will also open Summit League play on Friday. The Mastodons are fresh off a 3-2 win against Robert Morris on September 26 where Andie Lazzerini hit the game winning goal with minutes to spare. In addition to Lazzerini, four other plays have two goals apiece this season. Rachel Good leads the team with five assists and 12 shots on goal. Kiley Dunning, the reigning Summit League 'Defensive Player of the Week', will be in net for the 'Dons. She has allowed 20 goals and has compiled 70 saves so far this season.
 
SERIES HISTORY: Western leads the all-time series between The Summit League foes, 7-3-1. The two teams have faced off consecutively since 2007. The Leathernecks' last victory over the Mastodons came in 2012 by a score of 1-0. The following season, Western fell 1-0 and in 2014 the squads played to a 0-0 draw at Fort Wayne.
 
A LOOK AT THE SYCAMORES: Missouri Valley Conference member Indiana State will also wrap up its nonconference campaign on Sunday. The Sycamores have compiled a 4-6 overall record so far in 2015. Most recently, Indiana State fell to Summit League member IUPUI on September 25 by a score of 2-1. Sydney Lovelace leads the team with seven goals and three assists. Maddie Orf also contributes with four goals and three assists. Brittany San Roman has compiled over 886 minutes in goal with 61 saves and 18 goals allowed. The Sycamores will open Missouri Valley Conference play against Drake on October 2 before heading to Macomb.
 
SERIES HISTORY: The Leathernecks will be looking for their first win in program history over Indiana State, as the Sycamores lead the all-time series 6-0. The two teams faced off last in 2006, where Western fell 3-2.
 
LAST TIME OUT: Western wrapped up its four-match road series on September 20 with a 2-0 loss at Missouri State. Kappel made a season-high eight saves in the defeat, but Brooke Prondzinski's goals in the 3rd and 52nd minutes lifted the Bears past the Leathernecks. Edwards led the team with four shots.

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