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Kellyn Whitlow

Men's Soccer Closes Out Season with Senior Day

| By: WIU Athletic Communications

The Leathernecks play host to Purdue Fort Wayne on Saturday, Nov. 3 at 1 p.m.

MACOMB, Ill. — Western Illinois men's soccer wraps up the 2018 campaign on Senior Day against Purdue Fort Wayne at home for a 1 p.m. match on Saturday, Nov. 3.

LAST TIME OUT: 
The Western Illinois men's soccer team (3-10-3) surrendered a golden goal during the second overtime period in a 1-0 loss to Bradley (8-4-4) on Saturday, Oct. 27.
 
Tim Trilk collected back-to-back saves in the 25th minute on shots from Gerit Wintermeyer and Austin Bell. The only Western Illinois shot on goal in the first half came from Jonah Dancer and it was corralled by the Bradley goalkeeper in a scoreless match at halftime.
 
The shots kept coming toward Trilk in the 64th and 69th minute, but he stepped in front of both them as he racked up a season-high seven saves. Jacob Bjornsen sent a shot on target in the 72nd minute, but no team found the back of the net as the game entered overtime.  
 
Both squads exchanged shots in the first overtime with Trilk saving a shot by Frank Bak in the 94th minute and Jonah Dancer had a good opportunity but his shot was stopped in the 99th minute. The Braves won the game 1-0 as time was starting to run out in the second overtime. After a pair of headers, John Pollifrone ended up with the ball in the box and he deposited it into the back of the net for the golden goal.  
 
SCOUTING THE MASTODONS: 
Purdue Fort Wayne is currently 10-6-1 overall and 2-2-0 in the Summit League. The Mastodons are coming off a key 2-1 win at Eastern Illinois on Saturday, Oct. 27. Western Illinois dominated Purdue Fort Wayne in a 3-1 road victory. Drew Whalen scored one of the three Leatherneck goals.  
 
Mike Harper is 62-127-19 in his 12th season at the helm. Harper played collegiately for the Mastodons and left as the career leader in goals scored. Senior midfielder Matthew Lieshout paces the squad with 11 goals while fellow senior midfielder Romain Lopez leads the Mastodons with 10 assists.  
 
COACH JOHNSON'S THOUGHTS: 
"We close out the season without the opportunity for postseason play for the first time in a long time," Director of Soccer Dr. Eric Johnson said. "Our guys want to send the seniors out with a win so I am expecting a great effort on Saturday."  
 
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