Leathernecks Take On Valparaiso For Non-League Contest

Western Illinois battles the Crusaders at home

MATCH ELEVEN
MEN'S SOCCER: WESTERN ILLINOIS LEATHERNECKS VS VALPARAISO CRUSADERS
Oct. 12, 2017 • 3:30 p.m. (CT) • Macomb, Ill. • Northwest Field

LIVE STATS: HERE
LIVE STREAM: HERE
2017 QUICK FACTS
2017 RECORD BOOK

MACOMB, Ill. — The Western Illinois Fighting Leatherneck men's soccer program welcomes the Valparaiso Crusaders Thursday (Oct. 12) to the Northwest Field for a 3:30 p.m. first kick.

LAST TIME OUT:
The Western Illinois men's soccer program (4-6-0) dropped a non-league matchup at Northwestern (3-2) Monday (Oct. 9) on the road. The first Northwestern goal came in the 21st minute off a chipped shot over the defense that was put in the back of the net. The second one came in the 41st minute, followed by a penalty kick goal just before the half. Despite a slow start and falling in to a 3-0 deficit at the half, Western Illinois was able to score a pair of goals in the second half for a potential equalizer against the Wildcats.

It was Gavin Nevshemal's 26-yard blast that got momentum swinging for the Leathernecks. His shot was saved by the opposing keeper, but Drew Whalen was there for the rebound goal—his seventh of the season—to put Western on the board. Western Illinois was able to rattle off another goal in the 80th minute by Fernando Pacheco, who scored off a header into the top right corner of the net by a cross from Armel Kouassi.

Even though it was a valiant comeback, the Leathernecks did not have time on their side and ultimately fell 3-2 in the match. Drew Whalen has now scored a goal in the in the last five matches, while Pacheco has netted one in two of his last three.

AROUND THE SUMMIT LEAGUE:
The Leathernecks have two players who rank in the top three in the league for goals and points. Fernando Pacheco and Whalen tied for second with seven goals and 14 points each. Whalen's 35 shots also lead The Summit League thus far.

In net, Tim Trilk's 10 goals against are tied for the second-fewest in the league, and his 1.55 goals against average is fourth amongst keepers.

SCOUTING THE CRUSADERS:
Valparaiso is 6-5-1 with a 3-2-0 record in the Missouri Valley Conference. The Crusaders are coming off a 2-1 Oct. 7 victory over Evansville. In the last meeting between the Leathernecks and Valpo, Western fell 3-1 off of two second-half goals from the Valparaiso Crusaders on Sept. 4, 2016. The Leathernecks found themselves in an early 1-0 deficit after the Crusaders scored on a free kick in the ninth minute of the match. Western saw multiple opportunities within the first 45 minutes, outshooting Valparaiso 6-3 in the first half, but went into halftime down one goal.

Western was rewarded in the second half, however, as Daniel Collins connected with Jacob Bevan off a perfect through ball. Bevan chipped it around the charging keeper just inside the right post for the equalizer in the 50th minute. The Crusaders were able to regain a 2-1 lead after a goal in the 57th minute, and finally closing out the match, scored in the 81st minute for the final margin.

In the overall match, the Crusaders outshot Western 12-8, while the Leathernecks recorded four saves to Valparaiso's one. Tim Trilk and Tim Hansen both saw time in net, as Trilk played the first 15:11, while Hansen took over for the remaining 74:49 (four saves). Bevan led the squad with three shots, two shots on goal and the 50th minute score, while Collins notched an assist and a shot. Fernando Pacheco recorded two shots, while Armel Kouassi and Angelo Amato added one each.

Western Illinois leads the al-time series 18-10-2.

LOOKING AHEAD:
The Leathernecks hit the road for a pair of Summit League matches at Omaha (Oct. 21) and at Oral Roberts (Oct. 28).

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Players Mentioned

#31 Angelo Amato: D; 6' 1"; Sophomore; Addison Trail

#14 Jacob Bevan: F; 6' 2"; Senior; Oak Park River Forest

#28 Armel Kouassi: F; 5' 11"; Junior; Homewood-Flossmoor

#10 Fernando Pacheco: F; 5' 7"; Junior; Iowa City

#34 Tim Hansen: GK; 6' 5"; Freshman; Rheingauschule

#33 Tim Trilk: GK; 6' 2"; Freshman; Boylan Catholic

#25 Daniel Collins: M; 5' 9"; Senior; Worthington School/Ashford

#28 Armel Kouassi: F; 5' 11"; Senior; Homewood-Flossmoor

#10 Fernando Pacheco: F; 5' 7"; Senior; Iowa City

#33 Tim Trilk: GK; 6' 2"; Sophomore; Boylan Catholic

#7 Drew Whalen: F/M; 6' 1"; Junior; Peoria Notre Dame

#26 Gavin Nevshemal: M; 5' 6"; Freshman; Winterset

Players Mentioned

#31 Angelo Amato
: 6' 1"; Sophomore; Addison Trail
: D

#14 Jacob Bevan
: 6' 2"; Senior; Oak Park River Forest
: F

#28 Armel Kouassi
: 5' 11"; Junior; Homewood-Flossmoor
: F

#10 Fernando Pacheco
: 5' 7"; Junior; Iowa City
: F

#34 Tim Hansen
: 6' 5"; Freshman; Rheingauschule
: GK

#33 Tim Trilk
: 6' 2"; Freshman; Boylan Catholic
: GK

#25 Daniel Collins
: 5' 9"; Senior; Worthington School/Ashford
: M

#28 Armel Kouassi
: 5' 11"; Senior; Homewood-Flossmoor
: F

#10 Fernando Pacheco
: 5' 7"; Senior; Iowa City
: F

#33 Tim Trilk
: 6' 2"; Sophomore; Boylan Catholic
: GK

#7 Drew Whalen
: 6' 1"; Junior; Peoria Notre Dame
: F/M

#26 Gavin Nevshemal
: 5' 6"; Freshman; Winterset
: M