Essacu In Overtime Once again

Cosio and Essacu link up to put in the eventual game winner against Quincy

MACOMB, Ill. – In the final preseason test for the Western Illinois men's soccer team, Gimale Essacu was again a key part in an overtime winner as he netted the eventual game-winning goal to defeat the Quincy Hawks 2-1 on Saturday (Aug. 24).

"Good comeback win for us," Director of Soccer Dr. Eric Johnson said. "Quincy was a handful and really put us under pressure. Our second goal was a great piece of teamwork and combination play. We need to have a good week of training in order to be ready to play on the road next weekend."

After both teams were tied 1-1 at the end of 90 minutes, each side agreed to play two 10 minute overtime periods with no golden goal.

Just five minutes into the first overtime period, Cesar Cosio sent a cross to Essacu inside the box who headed it into the left side of the net to give the Leathernecks a 2-1 advantage at the 95-minute mark.

Tim Trilk was tested early and often in the first half. The senior stopped four shots and added two more saves in the second. Seanan Main also shined between the pipes as he stopped a penalty kick to keep the match tied along with five saves totaling 11 saves between both goalies.

The Hawks took a 1-0 lead after Alsadiq Hasan (52') connected a pass to Aubrey Reis in the middle of the box.

Western then responded to Quincy late into the second half to tie it 1-1. After earning a corner, Summit League Preseason Player to Watch, Paul Kirdorf (73') received the ball off a deflection and one-timed it outside the box to beat the Hawks goalkeeper.

Western Illinois will open the regular season on the road against Milwaukee (Aug. 30) and Green Bay (Sept. 1) before returning to John MacKenzie Alumni Field on Sept. 6 for the home opener against Oakland.

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Players Mentioned

#9 Cesar Cosio: M/F; 6' 0"; Sophomore; Mount Carmel

#10 Gimale Essacu: M; 5' 8"; Senior; Brisbane Boys College / Otero

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

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

#1 Seanan Main: GK; 6' 1"; Freshman; Southwood Secondary

Players Mentioned

#9 Cesar Cosio
: 6' 0"; Sophomore; Mount Carmel
: M/F

#10 Gimale Essacu
: 5' 8"; Senior; Brisbane Boys College / Otero
: M

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

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

#1 Seanan Main
: 6' 1"; Freshman; Southwood Secondary
: GK