Skip To Main Content

Upcoming Events and Recent Results

Western Illinois University Athletics

Fernando Pacheco
0
Western Illinois WIUM (3-4-1)
2
Winner Bradley BRAD (2-5-1)
Western Illinois WIUM
(3-4-1)
0
Final
2
Bradley BRAD
(2-5-1)
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Western Illinois WIUM 0 0 0
Bradley BRAD 0 2 2

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

Leathernecks Fall 2-0 At Bradley

Western Illinois dropped a 2-0 match at the Braves.

MACOMB, Ill. – The Western Illinois Fighting Leatherneck men's soccer team fell 2-0 to in-state rival Bradley on the road Tuesday, Sept.  20, after two late goals in the final 10 minutes of play. The Leathernecks fall to 3-4-1 this season after the loss.

"I don't think it was a lack of fitness or the numbers that we played in the game. We needed to concentrate for 90 minutes," said Director of Soccer Dr. Eric Johnson. "More than that, we were very poor in the first half technically. We pride ourselves on passing and moving the opponents out of the way, but sometimes that doesn't happen every night. Hats off to Bradley, they worked hard for the entire match." 

Early in the match, Western's defense was able to keep Bradley out of the net as the Braves had two shots and a corner kick in a one-minute span (19'-20'), but were unable to capitalize.

Offensively, Western saw multiple close opportunities when Armel Kouassi scaled the left side of the field to hit the right post in the 24th minute. Later in the first half, Jacob Bevan had an opportunity for a header that went just wide of the net in the 40th minute. The Leathernecks went into halftime with a 2-1 shots on goal advantage.

The second half started out with another close opportunity for the Leathernecks. Fernando Pacheco had a clean shot, but saw it go just wide right of the net in the 52nd minute. 13 minutes later, Kouassi rocketed shot from just outside the left elbow of the box that was saved by the keeper.

In the 83rd minute, however, the Braves were able to get on the board with off a header inside a crowded box by Clark Emerson off a long throw. Two minutes later, another Bradley goal closed out the match at 2-0.

"We have to execute. We know what we need to do and how to get behind the defenders, but it's about being able to execute," said Johnson. "Whether it's on the break or on the possession to get corners for service, we have to execute. I'm happy that our effort was good enough, but it we have to rebound." 

Overall, Fernando Pacheco led the team with three shots and a shot on goal. Bevan also recorded three shots in the match. In goal, Hansen recorded two saves.

WIU returns to action Friday, Sept. 23, as they will travel to Indianapolis, Ind. to open Summit League Play at IUPUI for their second straight road match. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. (CT).
   
 
 
 
Print Friendly Version