Western Ends Non-League Play Under the Lights

Monday, September 30, 2019 | By: WIU Athletic Communications

The Leathernecks take on SIUE on Tuesday at 7 p.m.

GAME TEN

Who | Western Illinois at SIUE
When | Tuesday at 7 p.m.
Where | Korte Stadium - Edwardsville, Ill.
Live Stats | Here
Social Media | Twitter #TRADITIONofTOUGH

Kick-Off | The Western Illinois men's soccer team wrap up non-league play with a trip under the lights at SIUE on Tuesday (Oct. 1).

Last Time Out | Ryan DeBois came off the bench huge as he scored his first career goal to tie the Saturday (Sept. 28) tilt for the Western Illinois men's soccer team (0-9-0), but a Northern Illinois (4-4-1) golden goal was the difference in a 2-1 defeat in overtime.

With the end of the first half insight, both Arian Mehrangand DeBois provided a spark for the WIU attack to earn first career marks. Mehrang floated a ball to DeBois inside the middle of the box and struck the ball into the bottom right corner on an acrobat kick in the 43rd minute for his first career goal. The assist was awarded to Mehrang to tie for second on the team.

The golden goal came near the end of the first overtime after the Huskies forced a Leatherneck turnover. Anthony Markanich sent a long ball to his brother Nick Mrkanich ('98) who took a couple of touches and placed the ball in the top left corner.

NIU jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the 13th minute on a ball that was played into the box that was tapped in the left corner and just out of the reach of Tim Trilk.

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 48 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 Cougars | SIUE (4-3-1) hosts the Leathernecks in the midst of a three game homestand and after two straight wins against Central Arkansas and Kansas City. Jorge Gonzalez has totaled seven goals and 14 points en route to three game-winning goals this season for the Cougars. The match marks the sixth game in 16 days for the Ohio Valley squad.

Up Next | The Purple and Gold travel to Omaha for the Summit League opener on Saturday (Oct. 5) at 7 p.m.

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The Leathernecks take on SIUE on Tuesday at 7 p.m.

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