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Western Illinois University Athletics

TIm Hansen
WIU Visual Productions Center
1
Bowling Green BGSU (4-1-0)
2
Winner Western Illinois WIUM (1-3-1)
Bowling Green BGSU
(4-1-0)
1
Final
2
Western Illinois WIUM
(1-3-1)
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Bowling Green BGSU 1 0 1
Western Illinois WIUM 1 1 2

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

Leathernecks Pick Up Win In Home Opener

WIU snapped Bowling Green's undefeated streak and picked up its first win of the season.

PHOTO GALLERY

MACOMB, Ill. – In the home opener, the Western Illinois men's soccer team was able to hand the visiting Bowling Green Falcons their first loss of the regular season, as well as picking up its first victory of 2016 with a 2-1 win Saturday (Sept. 10).

The Leathernecks fell behind 1-0 in the 15th minute, after the Falcons scored off a rebound inside the box. Just before halftime, Daniel Collins drilled a line drive shot from 20 yards out for the equalizer in the 38th minute for his second goal on the year.

Western was able to keep that momentum into the second half. In the 56th minute, Fernando Pacheco chipped the ball for a high cross, and found a running Jacob Bevan in stride for a header on the right side of the net to put Western ahead 2-1.

"We fought hard in the second half. I thought our guys were brave and got in front of a lot of balls. Our keeper was good, and our backline won headers," said Director of Soccer Dr. Eric Johnson. "To win a game, you have to battle everything. The surface was a little soft, and we fouled a little bit too much in the first half. The second goal was just hard work and we're really happy to get our first win."

The match went down to the wire, as freshman goalkeeper Tim Hansen came up huge with a series of saves in the final five minutes. Hansen deflected a shot inside the box in the 84th minute, and then saved the rebound shot just five seconds later to prevent the Falcons from tying the match. His final defensive stop came off a diving save in the 88th minute to close out the match at 2-1.

"Our boys call him [Hansen] babyface, but he was a man today. He was the difference," said Johnson.

Hansen finished with a season and career high six saves, while Collins led the Leathernecks with five shots, two shots on goal and one goal. Bevan followed with three shots, two shots on goal and the header goal, and Armel Kouassi recorded three shots with two shots on goal.

As a team, the Leathernecks had 13 total shots compared to Bowling Green's 14, and four corner kicks to the Falcons' seven. Neither team had an offsides penalty.

Western Illinois (1-3-1) returns to action this Tuesday, Sept. 13 at 5 p.m. against Mount Mercy for its second straight home match. Live stats will be available and fans can view the match via live stream on the Leatherneck Sports Network. 
 
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