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Western Illinois University Athletics

Alejandro Pacheco
1
Winner Denver DEN (10-6-1 (5-0-0))
0
Western Illinois WIU (5-9-1 (3-2-0))
Winner
Denver DEN
(10-6-1 (5-0-0))
1
Final
0
Western Illinois WIU
(5-9-1 (3-2-0))
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Denver DEN 1 0 1
Western Illinois WIU 0 0 0

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

Leathernecks Edged 1-0 Against Denver On Senior Day

Western Illinois outshot the Pioneers 18-15 but fell short.

PHOTO GALLERY
 
MACOMB, Ill. — Despite outshooting the Pioneers (18-15) and holding a 12-4 advantage on corner kicks, the Western Illinois men's soccer program fell 1-0 in a close match on Senior day.
 
"Obviously, I'm not ready to say bye to our seniors just yet even thought it was the last home game," said Director of Soccer Dr. Eric Johnson. "I thought we started off a bit slow but then we brought it to them. I thought we outplayed them in big chunks of the second half but didn't find a way to score. We have a good senior group, and I'm hoping that we have that chance to play Denver again next week"
 
The Pioneers went up 1-0 off a ninth minute goal by Alex Underwood off an assist from Ryan Barlow that went into the bottom left corner of the net. The Leathernecks, however, refused to back down and had multiple opportunities that came up just short.
 
In the first half, Drew Whalen's header off a corner kick by Fernando Pacheco in the 30th minute sailed just high of the net. For the opening minutes of the second half, Armel Kouassi almost netted the equalizer when he rocketed a shot at Denver's keeper Nick Gardner, but it was saved (47').
 
The final opportunity came off a long cross from Ben Fiddes that found Whalen in stride just in front of the net, but the ball sailed right in the 87th minute of the match.
 
Western Illinois wraps up the 2017 regular season at 5-9-1 overall and 3-2-0 in league play. Whalen had a match-high seven shots and one on goal, while Fernando Pacheco had four shots and two on goal. In net, Tim Trilk totaled three saves.
 
With the win, Denver claims The Summit League Regular Season crown and the No. 1 seed in the league tournament that will be held in Omaha, Neb. The Leathernecks are the No. 2 seed heading into next week's tournament (Nov. 9-11), and will face No. 3 seeded Omaha (who defeated Oral Roberts 2-0) in the semifinal round. The No. 4 seed is to be determined. 
 
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