Men’s Soccer Host Home Opener Friday

Tuesday, September 03, 2019 | By: WIU Athletic Communications

Leathernecks host the home opener on Friday at 4 p.m. then travel to UIC Sunday

GAME THREE AND FOUR

Who | Western Illinois vs. Oakland and at UIC
When | Friday, Sept. 6 at 4 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 8 at 7 p.m.
TV | Leatherneck All-Access vs. Oakland, ESPN3 at UIC
Live Stats | vs. Oakland, at UIC
Social Media | Twitter #TRADITIONofTOUGH

Kick-Off | The Western Illinois men's soccer team returns from opening weekend on the road to host the 2019 home opener versus Oakland on Friday (Sept. 6) followed by a trip to Chicago to take on the UIC Flames Sunday (Sept. 8).

Last Time Out | WIU began the season on the road this past weekend and fell against both Milwaukee (3-2) and Green Bay (3-1).

WIU answered an early Milwaukee goal (5') when Michael Howell found Daisuke Otsuka cutting into the box and buried into the bottom left corner at the 21-minute mark to notch the first goal for the Purple and Gold of the 2019 season. Paul Kirdorf tied the season opener 2-2 at the 68-minute mark. After a scramble for the ball inside the box, the midfielder one-timed a rocket that sailed into the bottom left corner.

The Panthers fired nine total shots on goal against Tim Trilk in the regular-season opener. The senior came up big multiple times out including saving a penalty kick to keep the match tied 2-2 late in the second half.

At Green Bay in the 72-minute Mitchell Moynihan and Caleb Ragland teamed up for a pair of career first at Leathernecks. Moynihan found the back of the net for a goal as Ragland earned an assist from his header that bounced off the crossbar to make it 3-1.

Five minutes into the match the Phoenix had back-to-back corners, but a Trilk save helped diffuse the offensive chances. The senior again was tested right away in the second half and denied Green Bay on both shots en route to recording five saves and 11 on the weekend.

Into the Horizon | To open up the 2019 season, Western Illinois battles 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.

All Eyes On Five | 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 WIU 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 Golden Grizzlies | Oakland makes its way to WIU with a 1-1 record and a win in the season opener against Robert Morris followed by a loss at Duquesne. Horizon League All-Freshman selections Luke Morrell who finished second on the team in goals (4) and Napoleon Outlaw III who ended second on the team in points (8) headline the 13 returners.

Scouting the Flames | UIC hosts both Valparaiso and the Leathernecks after returning with a 1-1 mark at the Wolstein Classic as they beat Dayton 3-2 and lost against Ohio State 1-0. Last season the Flames won the Horizon League and advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the third straight season. Jesus Perez, a Hermann Trophy Watch List selection and the 2018 Horizon Player of the Year returns alongside last seasons Tournament MVP Jacob Graiber.

Coach Johnson's Thought | "We Learned a few things about our team this past weekend," Director of Soccer Dr. Eric Johnson said. "If we can clean up some things we should do better this weekend. Playing at home on our field should help, but we need to be more consistent and focus over the 90 minutes."

Up Next | After the conclusion of four straight Horizon League matchups, the Leathernecks welcome Big Ten Conference opponent Northwestern on Thursday (Sept. 12) at 4:30 p.m. for Battle of the Purple.

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Leathernecks host the home opener on Friday at 4 p.m. then travel to UIC Sunday

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