Men’s Soccer To Play In Non-League Matchups

Western Illinois takes on Lincoln Land (Oct. 7) and Northwestern (Oct. 9)

MATCH TEN
MEN'S SOCCER: WESTERN ILLINOIS LEATHERNECKS vs LINCOLN LAND LOGGERS
Oct. 7, 2017 • 1 p.m. CT • Macomb, Ill. • John MacKenzie Alumni Field

LIVE STATS: HERE
2017 QUICK FACTS
2017 RECORD BOOK

MATCH ELEVEN
MEN'S SOCCER: WESTERN ILLINOIS LEATHERNECKS at NORTHWESTERN WILDCATS
Oct. 9, 2017 • 2 p.m. CT • Evanston, Ill. • Lanny and Sharon Martin Stadium

LIVE STATS:
LIVE STREAM (BTN PLUS): HERE

MACOMB, Ill.— After winning both of its Summit League-opening matchups to sit atop the conference standings, Western Illinois plays back-to-back non-league matches beginning with Lincoln Land (Oct. 7) at 1 p.m. and Northwestern (Oct. 9) at 2 p.m.

LAST TIME OUT:
In their home-opening league match, the Western Illinois Fighting Leatherneck men's soccer program (4-5-0) propelled themselves into the top post in the standings with a 2-0 win over Eastern Illinois Saturday (Sept. 30). It didn't take the Leathernecks long to strike first, as Armel Kouassi netted his first goal of the season in the opening 37 seconds of play. The Leathernecks were able to keep on the offensive with back-to-back shots by Drew Whalen and Paul Kirdorf in the 20th and 21st minutes, respectively.

After a corner kick by Ben Fiddes in the 28th minute, a header by Whalen that was saved and another corner kick by Kirdorf, Whalen was able to net his fourth straight goal off an assist by Kirdorf in the 34th minute. The Panthers were then able to get off four shots in an eight-minute span, but Tim Trilk was there for the save and keep the match a two-goal lead. From there, Western was able to hold on and shut out the visiting Panthers for its fourth win of the season. Whalen led the way with three shots (all on goal) and his 34th minute goal, followed by Kouassi's goal off shot for the match and Alejandro Pacheco's with a shot on goal. In net, Trilk finished with five saves for the match.

SCOUTING LINCOLN LAND:
The Lincoln Land Loggers, out of Springfield, Ill., currently sits at 0-11-0 overall and 0-7 in conference play. They compete in the National Junior College Association (NJCAA) and are led by Stuart Mitchel's 10 goals and three assists for 23 points, followed by Darwin Soto's 20 points off nine goals and two assists. This will be the first-ever meeting between the two programs.

SCOUTING NORTHWESTERN:
The Wildcats are 2-9-0 overall with wins over Valparaiso (5-4, PK) and UIC (1-0). They are currently 0-5 in the Big Ten, most recently falling 2-1 in overtime at Notre Dame. Sean Lynch leads the way with six points off a pair of goals and assists. Western Illinois is 7-11-0 all-time in the series history against Northwestern, most recently facing off Nov. 15, 2012 in the first round of the Division I College Cup. That year, Western Illinois captured The Summit League crown and fell 1-0 to the Wildcats.

TRILK NOTCHES DEFENSIVE 'PLAYER OF THE WEEK' AWARD
Sophomore goalkeeper Tim Trilk earned Summit League 'Defensive Player of the Week' Oct. 2. To read more click HERE.

50 YEARS OF SOCCER:

1967-1992 FIRST TEAM | 1967-1992 SECOND TEAM | 1967-1992 HONORABLE MENTIONS

The 50th Anniversary Celebration begins Friday, Oct. 6 with the alumni social, which starts at 7 p.m. at Sports Corner @ 124 (complementary appetizers and refreshments). Festivities continue the next day (Oct. 7), when the Leathernecks play host to Lincoln Land College at 1 p.m. at John McKenzie Alumni Field.

At 3 p.m. on Oct. 7, the program will feature an alumni match of the odd graduation years versus the even years. The alumni match is followed by dinner at the University Union LaMoine Room. The cost of attendance and dinner is $25.

Attendees will also hear from coaches John MacKenzie and Eric Johnson, and the program will also announce the second 25th Anniversary Team, which consists of former players from 1993-2017. Former players are encouraged to nominate their former teammates, and a committee will make selections for the First and Second Teams, along with Honorable Mentions.

For information about registration, please visit LeatherneckTickets.com.

Tweet #W1U

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

#11 Ben Fiddes: M; 6' 0"; Senior; Peoria Notre Dame

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

#16 Alejandro Pacheco: M/F; 5' 9"; Senior; Iowa City

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

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

#5 Paul Kirdorf: M; 5' 8"; Freshman; Rheingauschule

Players Mentioned

#11 Ben Fiddes
: 6' 0"; Senior; Peoria Notre Dame
: M

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

#16 Alejandro Pacheco
: 5' 9"; Senior; Iowa City
: M/F

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

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

#5 Paul Kirdorf
: 5' 8"; Freshman; Rheingauschule
: M