WIU Plays Host To Denver In Summit League Opener

Western Illinois opens conference play Friday against the Pioneers

MACOMB, Ill. – The Western Illinois Fighting Leatherneck women's soccer program takes on Denver on Friday, Sept. 30 at 3 p.m. for its Summit League home opener.

A LOOK AT THE LEATHERNECKS:
Western Illinois is coming off a 2-1 overtime win on Sept. 25 over Missouri State. Freshman Emily Bollman scored the game-winning goal off an assist from Nicole Beer 1:34 into overtime to seal the triumph. For her efforts, Bollman earned her first career Summit League Offensive Player of the Week award.

Bianca Romay leads the team this season with four points on two goals, one of which came against Missouri State. Mary Street follows with three points (one goal, one assist), while Bollman and Ashley Kuhlmann have two points this season. All three Leatherneck goalkeepers have seen action this year. Ines Palmiero Herrera has 22 saves on 51 shots faced this year, pitching one shutout (363:19 minutes played). Jennifer Currie (224:55) has recorded six stops with two starts, while Lexi Harris (153:20) has nine saves with one start in goal this season.

A LOOK AT THE PIONEERS:
Denver sits at 3-7 overall. They have wins over SIU-Edwardsville (2-1), Arizona State (3-1) and Northern Colorado (1-0). The Pioneers have fallen in their last three matches to Hawaii (0-2), Colorado (0-1) and BYU (0-7). Western Illinois also marks Denver's first Summit League match this season.

Lilly McSwain and Hannah Adler lead the team with three points each. Both have one goal and one assist this season. There are five Pioneers who have two points this season in Mary Dewalt, Leah Swander, Jessie Dancy, Karina Fredette and Mackenzie Bothner.

Jeff Hooker is in his 25^th season at the helm of the Pioneers' women's soccer program.

SERIES HISTORY:
The Purple and Gold will aim for its first win over Denver in program history, as they trail the all-time series 0-3. Two out of the three meetings between the schools have been decided by one goal. In their last meeting, Western fell 2-1 on the road on Oct. 23, 2015.

LOOKING AHEAD:
The Leathernecks will be back in action against South Dakota at John MacKenzie Alumni Field (Sunday, Oct. 2 at 12 p.m.). The remainder of Western Illinois' schedule comes against Summit League opponents.

FOLLOW THE LEATHERNECKS:
All Western Illinois women's soccer home matches are scheduled to be streamed live on goleathernecks.com through Fighting Leathernecks All-Access. Select games will also be broadcast live on ESPN3.

Fans can also follow the matches all season long via live stats and live updates on Twitter @WIUWomensSoccer. Links for live video, live stats and social media for upcoming matches can be found under the "COVERAGE" portion of match previews on the right side of the page.

PICK THE MINUTE FAN CONTEST:
Friday's (Sept. 30) match will also feature a "Pick The Minute Fan Contest". Prior to the game, fans can guess the time of the first Leatherneck goal. The winner will receive a signed poster and t-shirt. Fans can also interact on social media by using WIUGAMEDAY on days when the Leathernecks have a match. Fans can also use LeathernecksWIN following a Western Illinois victory. Find all other promotional events, items and more for women's soccer all season long HERE.

Tweet #W1U

#WIUGAMEDAY INFORMATION

Western Illinois Leathernecks (2-6-1)
vs.
Denver Pioneers (3-7)

WHEN AND WHERE:
Friday, Sept. 30, 3 p.m. (CT)
Macomb, Ill.
John MacKenzie Alumni Field

OPPONENT WEBSITE
denverpioneers.com

COVERAGE

LIVE STATS:
HERE

LIVE STREAM ($):
Fighting Leatherneck All-Access

SOCIAL MEDIA

TWITTER:
@WIUW omensSoccer
@WIUAthletics

FACEBOOK:
Western Illinois W omen's Soccer
Western Illinois Athletics

INSTAGRAM:
Western Illinois Athletics

PRESEASON INFORMATION

2016 Preseason Quick Facts (.PDF)
2016-17 Preseason Record Book (.PDF)

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

#15 Nicole Beer: D; 5' 8"; Sophomore; Elkhorn South

#00 Lexi Harris: GK; 5' 6"; Junior; Lincoln East

#13 Ashley Kuhlmann: F; 5' 8"; Sophomore; Selah

#28 Bianca Romay: M; 5' 2"; Freshman; Downers Grove North

#24 Mary Street: D; 5' 4"; Junior; McAuley Catholic

#1 Jennifer Currie: GK; 5' 6"; Junior; Preston Lodge/Hutchinson CC

#8 Emily Bollman: F; 5' 5"; Freshman; Alleman Valley

#0 Ines Palmiero Herrera: GK; 5' 7"; Freshman; Universitat de Barcelona

Players Mentioned

#15 Nicole Beer
: 5' 8"; Sophomore; Elkhorn South
: D

#00 Lexi Harris
: 5' 6"; Junior; Lincoln East
: GK

#13 Ashley Kuhlmann
: 5' 8"; Sophomore; Selah
: F

#28 Bianca Romay
: 5' 2"; Freshman; Downers Grove North
: M

#24 Mary Street
: 5' 4"; Junior; McAuley Catholic
: D

#1 Jennifer Currie
: 5' 6"; Junior; Preston Lodge/Hutchinson CC
: GK

#8 Emily Bollman
: 5' 5"; Freshman; Alleman Valley
: F

#0 Ines Palmiero Herrera
: 5' 7"; Freshman; Universitat de Barcelona
: GK