Men’s Soccer Preps For Eastern Illinois In League Match

The Leathernecks look to remain undefeated in Summit League play on Saturday

MATCH NINE
MEN'S SOCCER: WESTERN ILLINOIS LEATHERNECKS vs EASTERN ILLINOIS PANTHERS
Sept. 30, 2017 • 1 p.m. CT • Macomb, Ill. • John MacKenzie Alumni Field

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

MACOMB, Ill.— Western Illinois men's soccer returns to John MacKenzie Alumni Field for a 1 p.m. matchup on Saturday (Sept. 30) against the visiting Eastern Illinois Panthers.

LAST TIME OUT:
Western Illinois triumphed over Fort Wayne in a road contest in the Leathernecks' conference opener.

Fort Wayne was able to get on the board first with a penalty kick goal in the 14th minute, but just a minute later, the Leathernecks were able to even things up at 1-1. In the 36th minute, the Leathernecks took the lead when Mitchell Moynihan—for the second straight match—connected with Drew Whalen off a cross that was tapped into the net. Whalen's fifth goal of the season gave Western a 2-1 lead over Fort Wayne at the half. In the opening minutes of the second half, the Leathernecks were able to ward off three straight equalizer shot attempts by the Mastodons. Western continued to put pressure on Fort Wayne with back-to-back headers by Whalen. In the 80th minute, Fernando Pacheco was able to seal the game off an assist from Armel Kouassi with a low shot that entered the left side of the net.

Western Illinois out-shot Fort Wayne 19-11 overall and had a 9-4 shots on goal advantage. Whalen paced the Leathernecks with seven shots, three on-goal and one goal. He was followed by Pacheco's goal and four shots (one on goal). Kouassi finished with three shots, two shots on goal and an assist. In net, Tim Trilk, totaled three saves.

A LOOK AT THE LEATHERNECKS:
The Leathernecks have multiple players who rank within the top-5 of The Summit League, including Fernando Pacheco and Drew Whalen. Pacheco's six goals have him tied for the most in the league while Whalen ranks third with five. For points, Pacheco ranks second with 12, and Whalen follows in fourth with 10.

In goal, Tim Trilk's 25 saves has him ranked fifth in The Summit League, while his .758 save percentage is fourth.

SCOUTING EASTERN ILLINOIS:
The Panthers are 2-3-5 overall and are 0-0-1 in Summit League action, most recently battling Omaha (Sept. 23) to a 0-0 tie. They are led by goalkeeper Mike Novotny, whose 61 saves this season are the most in the league, 30 more than the second-most. His .871 save percentage also leads the league. He ranks third with a .81 goals against average.

The Leathernecks are 17-31-5 all-time against Eastern Illinois, most recently facing them last season in league action. In that last meeting (Saturday, Oct. 29, 2016), the Fighting Leatherneck men's soccer program dropped a 2-0 decision at Eastern Illinois in Summit League action. Western Illinois fell into a 1-0 deficit in the 10th minute when EIU's Alex Castaneda shot the ball from the left side of the field and across the box into the net.

The Panthers' second goal came off an assist from Tyler Enright. He crossed the ball from the right side onto the foot of Marcus Menniti, who was able to score in the 23rd minute.

LOOKING AHEAD:
Western Illinois stays in Macomb, as they will take on Lincoln Land College at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 7. That match will also mark Western Illinois' men's soccer's 50th Anniversary Weekend, as the program will hold a celebration to honor all former Leatherneck soccer players.

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Players Mentioned

#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

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

Players Mentioned

#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

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