Western Illinois Closes Out Road Slate At Kansas City

The Leathernecks take on the Kangaroos on the road.

MATCH SIX
MEN'S SOCCER: WESTERN ILLINOIS LEATHERNECKS at KANSAS CITY KANGAROOS
September 16, 2017 • 7 pm central • Kansas City, Mo. • Durwood Soccer Stadium

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MACOMB, Ill.— Western Illinois men's soccer closes out the six-match road slate with a matchup at Kansas City this Saturday (Sept. 16) at 7 p.m. The Leathernecks (1-4-0) are looking to bounce back after a loss at Bowling Green a week prior.

LAST TIME OUT:
Goals in the 15th and 84th minute led to a 2-0 defeat for the Fighting Leatherneck men's soccer program against Bowling Green. Western Illinois fell to 1-4-0 on the season. Western was able to get on the attack early in the match off a shot-on-goal by Fernando Pacheco in the fourth minute, but the Falcons were able to create some pressure of their own with back-to-back shots and a corner kick in the eighth minute.

Bowling Green was finally able to get on the board just a few minutes later (15') off a volley that scored from 25 yards away. That goal put the Leathernecks in a 1-0 deficit at the half. The 62nd minute saw a series of shots by Bowling Green, with the first one being a header that was saved by goalkeeper Tim Trilk. That was followed with a corner kick, which preceded a shot that was blocked to keep the Leathernecks' opportunity alive for the equalizer.

Western Illinois looked for the equalizer off another shot-on-goal by Pacheco and a header by Paul Kirdorf, but both strikes were saved by the opposing keeper. The final goal of the match would not come until the 84th minute, where the Falcons split the Leatherneck defenders off a pass that found the forward on a long run to finish off the match 2-0.

SCOUTING THE 'ROOS:
Kansas City is currently 2-0-3 this season with wins over Central Arkansas (3-0), Northwestern (2-0). The Kangaroos have also tied their last three matches against Rutgers (0-0), Memphis (1-1) and Milwaukee (2-2). This will be the 34th meeting between the two programs, as Western holds a 20-12-2 all-time series advantage.

In the last meeting on (Sept. 17, 2016) Western fell into a 1-0 deficit, but came away with four unanswered goals by the Leathernecks. Three of those goals were by Jacob Bevan, who recorded his first-career hat trick to give WIU a 4-1 win.

Eric McWoods leads the team with eight points off three goals and two assists. He also has a team-high 22 shots. The team is led by Rick Benben who is in his 19th season with the men's soccer program.

A LOOK AT YOUR LEATHERNECKS:
Fernando Pacheco leads the team and ranks third in The Summit League with three goals on the season thus far. Drew Whalen's two goals are tied for fourth in the league. Pacheco also has a team-high seven shots on goal and a 0.333 shots on goal percentage.

As a team, Western Illinois averages 9.2 shots per game compared to the opponents' 14.0. Opponents also hold a 20-16 corner kicks advantage this season, but the Leathernecks are 2-for-2 on penalty kicks thus far.

LOOKING AHEAD:
The Leathernecks return home for their home opener Sept. 20 against Drake at 4 p.m. That is followed by the first Summit League match of the year on the road at Fort Wayne (Sept. 23) before back-to-back home contests against league opponent Eastern Illinois (Sept. 30) and Lincoln Land College.

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Players Mentioned

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

#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

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

Players Mentioned

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

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