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Western Illinois WIU (8-10-1)

Denver DEN (16-0-3)

Western Illinois WIU

(8-10-1)

Final

Nov. 10, 2016

Denver DEN

(16-0-3)

Score By Periods
Team	1	2	F
Western Illinois WIU	0	0	0
Denver DEN	0	1	1

Game Recap: Men's Soccer | Thursday, November 10, 2016 | WIU Athletic Communications

Western Illinois Concludes Season with 1-0 Loss in Summit League Championship Semifinal

The Leathernecks fell to the Pioneers in the semifinal round in Denver

PHOTO GALLERY

DENVER, Colo. - In the semifinal round of The Summit League Championship the No. 3 Western Illinois Leathernecks fell 1-0 off a penalty kick goal to the No. 2 seeded Denver Pioneers.

"I thought we played our best game of the season tonight. We were organized and worked very hard," said Director of Soccer Dr. Eric Johnson. "I thought our guys were mentally into the game plan, limited their [Denver's] chances, and were able to create some chances too. It's too bad that the game ended on a penalty kick, but that's part of the game. I'm proud of the way our guys showed up and they brought it to a very good Denver team."

The Leathernecks had some scoring opportunities early in the first half, with a pair of corner kicks in the 18th and 19th minute. In the 35th minute, Daniel Collins fired a shot from outside the box that went just over the crossbar.

Both teams were scoreless at the end of the first period.

The Leathernecks fell behind in the 81st minute as Denver scored off a penalty kick as a result of a Western Illinois handball penalty inside the box.

Shortly after, the Pioneers drew a red card, which put them down one player for the remaining seven minutes of the match. WIU was able to put the ball into Pioneer territory and then had a corner kick from Fernando Pacheco, which followed up with a shot from Ben Fiddes that went high.

Maclean Johnson was able to record a header inside the box off another Pacheco corner kick, but it was saved by the Denver keeper and time ran out. Amadeo Carbo had a team-high three shots, while Ben Fiddes and Daniel Collins had two shots each. Collins and Johnson both recorded a shot on goal.

Western Illinois wraps up the season with an 8-10-1 overall record (3-3 Summit League mark). Senior Jacob Bevan finishes his career as a three-time Summit League Offensive Player of the Week (twice in 2016) and First Team All-League honoree. He concludes the 2016 season with nine goals and five assists for 23 points.

In his lone season with the Leathernecks, Collins finished fourth on the team with 11 points on three goals and five assists this year.

"There's a lot of guys back on this team next season, but obviously it's hard to replace a guy like Jacob Bevan. Our other seniors Ephraim [Okeke], Maclean, Nick Arnold and Daniel Collins all showed that they were great teammates and we'll definitely have to replace some good character guys who worked very hard. We'll have to remind our returners how well they played this match, and to use that as something to take away for next season."