Men's Soccer Opens 2018 Campaign at Oakland

The regular season begins on Friday, Aug. 24 at 6 p.m.

MACOMB, Ill. – The Western Illinois men's soccer program opens up the regular season at Oakland on Friday, Aug. 24 at 6:00 p.m. (CT).

LAST TIME OUT: The Leathernecks compiled a 1-0-2 record in a three-game exhibition slate that included draws against UIC and Quincy plus a 2-1 victory over Big East opponent DePaul. Jamison Kozar led the team with three goals (one each match) and Paul Kirdorf recorded a team-high three assists during that span.

COACH JOHNSON'S THOUGHTS: "It's a long trip," Director of Soccer Dr. Eric Johnson said. "It's a really good facility and Oakland is a good Horizon League team. I think we can be competitive and that will be a matter of if we can make the big plays in the game. We have the ability but we have to execute."

A LOOK AT YOUR LEATHERNECKS:
The Leathernecks return key experience for the 2018 campaign, while also reloading with a large group of newcomers.

The roster features a total of 13 upperclassmen that includes six seniors in forward Drew Whalen, forward Feli Keti, defender Orsy Gonzalez, defender Angelo Amato, defender Jamison Kozar, midfielder Jacob Bjornsen and midfielder Daniel Kadima.

Whalen, a 2018 Summit League Player to Watch is coming off an All-Summit League First Team honor in 2017. He appeared in 16 matches last season including four starts and finished with eight goals which ranked third in the Summit League. Whalen racked up 16 total points, good enough for fourth in the league and ranked second in the Summit League by taking 56 shots.

The Leathernecks lost ten players from a year ago including Fernando Pacheco, who scored seven goals and totaled 15 points his senior season. Of the 15 returning players, Western Illinois has seven players who saw action in 10 or more matches from the previous season. In net, Tim Trilk registered 51 saves in 11 matches played as a sophomore last season.

SCOUTING OAKLAND:
The Golden Grizzlies finished 6-10-1 last season and 3-5-1 in the Horizon League. Eric Pogue is entering his 10th season as the Oakland men's soccer head coach and has totaled a 73-77-20 overall record there.

They are led by junior forward Nebojsa Popovic, who leads the team's returners in goals (4), points (14) and assists (6). Junior defender Nyal Higgins scored two goals and was on the 2017 All-Horizon League second team. The last time these two teams met was Aug. 28, 2015, in the season opener and the Golden Grizzlies won 3-0.

WHAT'S NEXT: After the road contest at Oakland, the Leathernecks return to Macomb at John MacKenzie Alumni Field for the home opener against Milwaukee on Sunday, Aug. 26 at 5 p.m.

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Players Mentioned

#10 Fernando Pacheco: F; 5' 7"; Senior; Iowa City

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

#3 Jacob Bjornsen: M; 5' 7"; Senior; CR Washington

#2 Orsy Gonzalez: D; 5' 7"; Senior; Springdale/Neosho CC

#10 Daniel Kadima: M; 5' 10"; Senior; Champaign Central / Parkland CC

#8 Feli Keti: F; 5' 10"; Senior; Champaign Central / Parkland CC

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

#18 Jamison Kozar: D; 5' 11"; Senior; Blaine

#33 Tim Trilk: GK; 6' 2"; Junior; Boylan Catholic

#7 Drew Whalen: F/M; 6' 1"; Senior; Peoria Notre Dame

Players Mentioned

#10 Fernando Pacheco
: 5' 7"; Senior; Iowa City
: F

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

#3 Jacob Bjornsen
: 5' 7"; Senior; CR Washington
: M

#2 Orsy Gonzalez
: 5' 7"; Senior; Springdale/Neosho CC
: D

#10 Daniel Kadima
: 5' 10"; Senior; Champaign Central / Parkland CC
: M

#8 Feli Keti
: 5' 10"; Senior; Champaign Central / Parkland CC
: F

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

#18 Jamison Kozar
: 5' 11"; Senior; Blaine
: D

#33 Tim Trilk
: 6' 2"; Junior; Boylan Catholic
: GK

#7 Drew Whalen
: 6' 1"; Senior; Peoria Notre Dame
: F/M