Summit League Journey Begins in Omaha

Friday, October 04, 2019 | By: WIU Athletic Communications

Leathernecks take on the Mavericks at Caniglia Field with a 7 p.m. kick-off

GAME ELEVEN

Who | Western Illinois at Omaha
When | Saturday at 7 p.m.
Where | Caniglia Field - Omaha, Neb.
Watch | Here
Live Stats | Here
Social Media | Twitter #TRADITIONofTOUGH

Kick-Off | The Western Illinois men's soccer team begins Summit League play Saturday (Oct. 5) night at Omaha.

Last Time Out | Freshman Kyle Owen denied two balls headed for the back of the net as the Western Illinois men's soccer team (0-10-0) fell 1-0 on a second-half goal to the SIUE Cougars (5-3-1) on Tuesday (Oct. 1) night.

Owen came up huge twice for the Leathernecks in the first half with two team saves. The freshman kept the game scoreless in the 5th minute with a header that denied a shot by SIUE headed for goal and then again in the 35th minute.

SIUE scored in the 70th minute after Corban McAvinew sent the ball to the back post that found Steven Bibas for a goal.

Tim Trilk stopped three all shots he faced in the first 45 minutes and then was relieved by Seanan Main to start the second half. Main tied his season-high of three saves that he previously set against No. 19 Missouri State.

Daisuke Otsuka set the tone on the attack as he fired five shots with three on goal, but were all saved.

The Purple and Gold had another great chance in the 63rd minute when Xavier Brown dinged a shot off the crossbar. Fellow Leathernecks, Caleb Ragland, Mitchell Moynihan, and Christian Junna all notched a shot.

National Attention | To say Tim Trilk is a wall between the pipes is an understatement. As of Sept. 27, he was third in all D1 with 54 total saves. The senior became ninth all-time in saves vs. No. 19 Missouri State with career save 163. Trilk now chases Jacob Gutierrez (1999-01) for eighth all-time in saves (189). He set a career-high 13 at UIC, which tied Chris Frenz (Oct. 25, 2002 vs. IUPUI) for third in saves in a game. He is tied for eighth all-time in shutouts with seven.

Start Wearing Purple and Gold | So far into the 2019 campaign, WIU has totaled six goals, with half of them coming from newcomers. Daniel McIntosh, Daisuke Otsuka, and Enric Ferrer have all found the back of the net for the first time as a Leatherneck. Another new face to the team is Caleb Ragland, who leads the team with two assists.

All Eyes On 5 | Heading into his junior season Paul Kirdorf was tabbed a Player to Watch for the 2019 season. The midfielder is one of five key returners for the Leathernecks this season as he finished with a team-high in points (7) and assists (3) while starting all 14 matches. He also helped the Leatherneck defense record four shutouts during the 2018 campaign en route to being the team leader in shots on goal (10).

Scouting the Mavericks | Omaha host WIU with a 1-6-2 mark on the season with their lone victory came against Air Force in 2-1. The Mavericks were selected second in the Summit League preseason poll along with Junior forward Diego Gutierrez was selected to the Summit League's Player to Watch list. Last season the sophomore led Omaha in points (21), goals (seven), and assists. In league statistics, he ranked third in points and fourth in goals and assists.

Up Next | The Purple and Gold return home to host the Denver Pioneers on Saturday (Oct. 12) at 1 p.m.

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Leathernecks take on the Mavericks at Caniglia Field with a 7 p.m. kick-off

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