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Logan Lommell
George Hartmann

Western Hosts Big Ten Opponent Northwestern Thursday

| By: WIU Athletic Communications

The Battle of the Purple kicks off at 4:30 p.m.

GAME FIVE

Who | Western Illinois vs. Northwestern 
When | Thursday, Sept. 12 at 4:30 p.m.
TV | Leatherneck All-Access 
Live Stats | vs. Northwestern 
Social Media | Twitter #TRADITIONofTOUGH

Kick-Off | The Western Illinois men's soccer team hosts Big Ten Conference opponent Northwestern on Thursday (Sept. 12) at 4:30 p.m. for Battle of the Purple. 

Last Time Out | The Leathernecks hosted the 2019 home opener where they fell 3-1 to Oakland followed by a 3-0 loss to the UIC Flames under the lights. 

After the Golden Grizzlies scored in the 6th minute, Gimale Essacu unleashed a shot that was first saved by the Oakland goalkeeper, but the rebound found the feet of Daniel McIntosh ('32) who quickly tapped it in for a 1-1 tie for his first career goal as a Leatherneck.  

Oakland answered the Leatherneck punch when Noah Jensen took a free-kick and bent it over the Western wall into the bottom left corner to take a 2-1 lead. The former Summit League foe stretched it to a 3-1 advantage after quick passes made their way to Cameron Wide ('46) for a goal to start the second half. 

In the Windy City, Tim Trilk was active between the pipes against the fourth straight Horizon League matchup. The senior set a new career-high with 13 saves en route to tying Chris Frenz (Oct. 25, 2002 vs. IUPUI) for third in saves in a game. The 13 total stops also tied a team single-game record for fourth all-time which was last set versus Drake on Sept. 17, 2000. 

Off a corner by Western, the Flames put together a counter-attack that turned into a 1-0 lead by Bar Hazut (4'). UIC again found the back of the net in the 36th and 73rd minute to make it 3-0. 

National Attention | To say Tim Trilk is a wall between the pipes is an understatement. The senior as of Sept. 9 is tied for first in the NCAA with 28 saves. Including setting 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 (7) and ninth all-time for minutes in goal (3146:24) in program history. Trilk is now 15 saves and three wins away from becoming tenth all-time in program history for both categories. 

History vs. the Wildcats | The two programs have battled 19 total times on the pitch, with the Northwestern owing the all-time series record 12-7. However, the Leathernecks are 5-2 at home against the Wildcats. The last meeting was on Sept. 30, 2017, when the Leathernecks fell 2-3. Both teams have also squared off in the NCAA Tournament two times in 2004 and 2012 with Northwestern winning both. The Wildcats return to John Mackenzie Alumni Field for the first time since 2002. 

Battle of the Purple | Leatherneck fans are encouraged to pack the pitch on Thursday (Sept. 12) for the game and be bold and wear gold. 

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). 

Scouting the Wildcats | Northwestern travels downstate with a 1-3 mark on the season after falling in back-to-back games against Lehigh and Bowling Green. Goalkeeper Miha Miskovic returns for his second year after recording eight shutouts and ranking 9th in the nation and tied for first in the Big Ten. The Wildcats are led by six seniors, highlighted by Matt Moderwell who scored five goals and tallied an assist in 2018. 

Coach Johnson's Thought | "We are excited about hosting a Big 10 team and we are improving in many ways," Director of Soccer Dr. Eric Johnson said. "The final score is the bottom line at the end of the 90 minutes. We have been working hard and now we need to put it all together." 

Up Next | The Purple and Gold stay at home to start the week against Drake on Tuesday (Sept. 17) before making the trip to Kansas City on Saturday (Sept. 21). 



 
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