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Western Illinois University Athletics

Conrad Hager
1
Western Illinois WIU (0-3-1)
1
Green Bay GB (1-1-1)
Western Illinois WIU
(0-3-1)
1
Final
1
Green Bay GB
(1-1-1)
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 OT 1 OT 2 F
Western Illinois WIU 0 1 0 0 1
Green Bay GB 1 0 0 0 1

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

Men's Soccer Plays to 1-1 Draw Against Green Bay

Second half goal by Conrad Hager gives Western first result in 2015

GREEN BAY, Wis. - The Western Illinois men's soccer team squared off against the Phoenix of Green Bay on Sunday, September 6, in a non-conference battle. Conrad Hager's second half goal evened the score as the two teams would play to a 1-all draw. Western moves to 0-3-1 on the year while Green Bay sits at 1-1-1.

"We are taking small steps and we played a little harder today for longer periods of time," said head coach Dr. Eric Johnson. "Defensively we were much more organized and limited them to just a few chances. Obviously not that they scored but we didn't allow them to score three or four so that's a step in the right direction. Got our first result, which I'm pleased about, and hopefully we will continue to get better as we prepare for Summit League play."

Western Illinois opened the match on the attack and looked like they would score in the 14th minute. Drew Whalen, who had entered in as a sub seconds earlier, was in an attacking position with the ball at his foot. His shot was on frame, but saved by the Phoenix net minder. The Leathernecks kept up the pressure and had a good look at goal in the 22nd minute when Alejandro Pacheco's corner kick found brother Fernando Pacheco in the box. Pacheco's shot was blocked by the Green Bay defense, and the game remained scoreless.

The Phoenix were able to break down the Leatherneck defense in the 35th minute when Audi Jepson beat Sam Copp to the upper right side of the net. Jepson was open following a pass that was flicked on by Cheenuj Shong, allowing Jepson to net his second goal of the year. Copp would be called upon in the waining moments of the opening half, but his save in the 42nd minute kept the Pheonix ahead by one as the teams headed for halftime. 

Out of the break, it was Western who had the early advantage as Tyler Chavez and Fernando Pacheco each had looks at the target. Chavez's shot sailed wide, while Pacheco's attempt was on frame, but saved by Kyle Ihm. In the 65th minute, Whalen had a header go on frame, only to be stopped once again by Ihm. The constant pressure paid off in the 73rd minute when Hager netted his second goal of the season to even the score at 1-all. The goal came following a corner kick from Alejandro Pacheco. With the ball still in the attacking zone, Hager was able to beat the keeper.

The two teams would amp up the pressure in the closing minutes with each team getting a look at net in the final two minutes. The keepers did their job, and the game would head to overtime. There were only a few chances to score in the first set of extra time, but Green Bay had a chance to win it in the final minute, but Buran Huseini's shot sailed high. The two squad would enter double overtime, the second-straight double OT match for Western in three days. Green Bay kept up the pressure in the final set of action Sunday, as they had two good looks in the final three minutes, but both shots missed the mark and the game would end in a draw.

Western hits the road next weekend, as they travel to Kalamazoo, Michigan, for the Radisson Invitational, hosted by Western Michigan. The Purple and Gold will open play on Friday, September 11, with a 1 p.m. contest against Detroit before closing out invitational play with a 1 p.m. contest against Western Michigan on Sunday, September 13. 
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