Men’s Soccer Opens League Play at Fort Wayne

The Leathernecks travel to Fort Wayne in their Summit League opener.

MATCH EIGHT
MEN'S SOCCER: WESTERN ILLINOIS LEATHERNECKS at FORT WAYNE MASTODONS
Sept. 23, 2017 • 6 p.m. central • Fort Wayne, Ind. • Hefner Soccer Complex

LIVE STATS: HERE
MASTODON ALL-ACCESS: HERE
2017 QUICK FACTS
2017 RECORD BOOK

MACOMB, Ill. — Western Illinois travels on the road at Fort Wayne in its Summit League opener Sept. 23 at 6 p.m. (CT). The Leathernecks and Mastodons will meet for the 16th time.

LAST TIME OUT:
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. 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.

A LOOK AT YOUR LEATHERNECKS:
The reigning Summit League Player of the Week Fernando Pacheco leads the team with 10 points off five goals and 12 shots on goal. He is currently tied for second in the league for goals and third for points. Drew Whalen ranks third in the league and second on the team with four goals. He ranks fourth in the league with eight points thus far. In net, Tim Trilk ranks second in the league with 22 saves.

SCOUTING FORT WAYNE:
Fort Wayne is 2-4-3 overall this season. The Mastodons and Leathernecks have two common non-league opponents thus far in Dayton and Green Bay. This season, Fort Wayne defeated Dayton 2-1 (Aug. 27) and tied Green Bay 1-1 (Sept. 3). The Leathernecks fell to both Dayton and Green Bay this season.

Western Illinois owns the all-time series 10-3-2 over Fort Wayne, winning the most recent matchup to earn a trip to the 2016 Summit League Championships on Senior Day. In the last meeting, Western was led by the first-career hat trick from Armel Kouassi, who helped the Leathernecks to a 4-1 victory. Thus far, the Mastodons are led by Oscar Uyamadu's four points off a pair of goals this season. Carmelo Morales and Zach Tom both have three points for the 2017 campaign off one goal and one assist [Morales] and three assists [Tom].

LOOKING AHEAD:
The Leathernecks have a pair of home matches on Sept. 30 and Oct. 7. The next match is against Summit League opponent Eastern Illinois, followed by a matchup against Lincoln Land College on Hall of Fame Weekend [Oct. 7].

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Players Mentioned

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

#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

#15 Luke Duball: M; 5' 10"; Freshman; Xavier H.S.

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

#32 Mitchell Moynihan: M; 6' 0"; Freshman; Highland

Players Mentioned

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

#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

#15 Luke Duball
: 5' 10"; Freshman; Xavier H.S.
: M

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

#32 Mitchell Moynihan
: 6' 0"; Freshman; Highland
: M