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Western Illinois University Athletics

Aziz Tahir
2
Winner Drake DRAKE (2-6-0)
1
Western Illinois WIU (2-5-0)
Winner
Drake DRAKE
(2-6-0)
2
Final
1
Western Illinois WIU
(2-5-0)
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Drake DRAKE 0 2 2
Western Illinois WIU 0 1 1

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

Leathernecks Edged By Drake Off Two Second Half Goals

Western Illinois fell 2-1 in its home opener against Drake (Sept. 20).

MACOMB, Ill. —  Western Illinois dropped a 2-1 contest in the home opener against Drake (Sept. 20) off a pair of second-half goals.
 
Western Illinois (2-5-0 overall) was able to attack early off back-to-back shots from Paul Kirdorf and Angelo Amato. Despite stoppages in the match in the scorching heat, the Leathernecks were able to get on the board first as Drew Whalen netted his fourth goal of the season off an assist from Mitchell Moynihan in the 61st minute.
 
"We had two opportunities earlier to get a goal," said Director of Soccer Dr. Eric Johnson. "Drew [Whalen] had one early as soon as he came in when he was moving to his left but their keeper was able to make a save back across his body. I think we started a little bit slow but we were able to come into the game."  
 
Just two minutes later, Drake was able to strike back off a breakaway and a shot from five yards out to even it up at 1-1. It was not until the 77th minute when the Leathernecks fell into a 2-1 hole after the Bulldogs were able to steal the ball and tap it past the keeper and into the net and take the lead.
 
Shots in the 83rd and 88th minute by Fernando Pacheco and Luke Duball gave Western scoring opportunities, but ultimately the Bulldogs were able to hold on.
 
Western Illinois was led by Whalen's goal off his three total shots on goal, followed by Fernando Pacheco finishing with three shots and two on goal. In net, Tim Trilk totaled four saves through the 90 minutes of play.
 
"We were good moving the ball left to right and getting Ben Fiddes, who was playing left back, involved. We're still a maturing team with a lot of new faces, but all of these games are important for us to solve those problems before we get to the league, and now we are at that point. We made a couple of mistakes we can't afford to make against league opponents, so hopefully we've wasted all of those and have a clean slate for The Summit League games coming up."  
 
The Leathernecks open Summit League Play this Saturday, Sept. 23 as they take on Fort Wayne in a road matchup. The first touch is scheduled for 6 p.m. (CT). 
 
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