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Lopez FP
WIU Visual Productions Center
3
Winner Valparaiso VALPO (1-2)
2
Western Illinois WIU (0-3)
Winner
Valparaiso VALPO
(1-2)
3
Final
2
Western Illinois WIU
(0-3)
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 OT 1 OT 2 F
Valparaiso VALPO 1 1 0 1 3
Western Illinois WIU 1 1 0 0 2

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

Leathernecks Fall, 3-2, in in Double Overtime Heartbreaker to Valparaiso

Goals from Fernando Pacheco and Diego Lopez not enough as Western drops contest.

MACOMB, Ill. – The Western Illinois men's soccer team opened up its home slate on Friday, September 4, as Leathernecks looked to pick up its first victory of the season against Valparaiso. The two teams battled for over 100 minutes before a Crusader goal in the second overtime fished off the Purple and Gold. The double overtime battle moved Valparaiso to 1-2 on the year while Western fell to 0-3.
 
"We made a little baby step today and competed for the whole game. I don't think we were great, but they weren't great either," said head coach Dr. Eric Johnson. "But it was hard-fought, physical, tough, lot of fouls. I'm encouraged though, because we fought for a little bit. Discouraged because we gave up three goals and if you give up three you aren't going to win very often. Our guys know that and we just have to continue to get better and continue to get healthy. Some of our young guys got some minutes today so that was encouraging for them to get in the game. If we get a few more back we will be in better shape."

It was the visiting Crusaders who opened the scoring Friday evening, with Isaiah Madrid netting one in the 11th minute of the game. Madrid was assisted by Jacob Gandarilla, and was open in front of the net to put Valparaiso up 1-0 early in the first half.
 
Western would even up the score in the 23rd minute, with Fernando Pacheco being credited with his first goal of the season thanks to an own goal from Valpo. Following a Crusader foul, Pacheco sent a free kick perfectly into the box. Ramon Howell's attempt to clear the entry, and his header defelected the ball into the back of the net to even up the score at 1-all.
 
Drew Whalen nearly gave the Leathernecks the 2-1 lead in the final minute of the first half, as his header off the corner kick of Pacheco sailed just wide of the net. At the half, the two teams would remain tied at one goal apiece.
 
As the second half opened up, it was the Crusaders who would once again take a one-goal lead, this time from Jordan Aidoud. Following a Western foul just outside the box, Aidoud bent the free kick around the wall and past Sam Copp to put Valpo up 2-1 in the 60th minute.
 
Western wouldn't be held down for long, as just under two minutes later in the 62nd minute, Diego Lopez took maters into his own hands and beat the Valpo defense for his first goal of the year. After receiving the ball just past midfield, Lopez streaked down the middle of the Crusader defense, and his shot found the back of the net to even things up once more. The teams would trade attempts in the final few minutes but the game would head to overtime all tied at two.
 
After an uneventful first OT, it didn't take long for Valpo to end things in the second OT, as Madrid netted his second goal of the afternoon 1:41 into the period. After a Matthew Gweh shot was blocked, Gweh gathered the deflection and found Madrid who was open in the box.
 
Western hits the road as they look to pick up its first victory of the season on Sunday, September 6, as the Leathernecks take on Green Bay in non-league action. Kick off up in Green Bay is slated for 1 p.m.
 
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