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Cesar Cosio
Rachael Keating

On The Road In The Horizon

| By: WIU Athletic Communications

Leathernecks open the 2019 campaign on the road at Milwaukee on Friday and Sunday in Green Bay

GAME ONE and TWO

Who | Western Illinois at Milwaukee and Green Bay
When | Friday, August 30 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, September 1 at Noon
TV | ESPN3  vs Milwaukee
Live Stats | vs Mil, vs Green Bay 
Social Media | Twitter #TRADITIONofTOUGH

Kick-Off | The Western Illinois men's soccer team will hit the road to start the 2019 campaign with action set against the Horizon League in Milwaukee on Friday (Aug. 30) and Sunday versus Green Bay (Sept. 1). 

Preseason Recap | WIU won both of its exhibition matches in dramatic fashion as Gimale Essacu played a key role as he recorded an assist to help win the preseason opener and followed with netting the game-winning goal to close out play. In the final test before the regular season against Quincy Tim Trilk and Seanan Main combined for an 11 total saves including Main stopping a penalty kick. 

Coach Johnson's Thoughts | "The first set of games is always exciting," Director of Soccer Dr. Eric Johnson. "The team has worked hard and taken some steps forward so testing ourselves against two quality opponents this weekend, which will provide us with an idea of where we are and what areas we need to work on." 

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 scored his first career goal for the Purple and Gold against Bowling Green State (Sept. 2, 2018) and then later successfully converted a penalty kick. The Kaub, Germany native also helped the Leatherneck defense record four shutouts during the 2018 campaign en route to being the team leader in shots on goal (10). 

Into the Horizon | To open up the 2019 season, the Purple and Gold battle against four straight Horizon League schools starting with Milwaukee and Green Bay followed by Oakland and UIC. Last season the Leathernecks finished 2-2-1 against the conference.  

Scouting the Panthers | Milwaukee host the Leathernecks after finishing 2-1 in preseason play with victories over Parkside and Cardinal Stritch. The Panthers last year finished 9-7-3 last season and lost in a penalty-kick shootout to Wright State in the Horizon League Tournament semifinals. 

Scouting the Phoenix | Green Bay enters the Sunday matinee with wins over Northwestern and Cardinal Stritch in exhibition play. The Phoenix ended with a 4-3-1 mark in the conference last season and made it to the quarterfinals in the Horizon League Tournament, but lost 3-2 to IUPUI. 

Up Next | After returning home for the state of Wisconsin, the Leathernecks face Oakland in the home opener on Friday (Sept. 6) with kickoff set for 4 p.m.
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