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Eastern Ill. EIU (2-12-1, 1-4-0)
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Eastern Ill. EIU
(2-12-1, 1-4-0)
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Game Recap: Men's Soccer | | WIU Athletic Communications

Leathernecks Conquer Panthers on Senior Day

Arian Mehrang scored his second goal of the season in a 1-0 victory.

MACOMB, ILL. – The Western Illinois University Fighting Leatherneck men's soccer team was in action on Saturday (Oct. 30), defeating Eastern Illinois 1-0 at the Northwest Field on WIU's Macomb campus. With the win, Western is now 2-3 in conference play and 2-1-1 in their last four games. 
 
With regular starters such as Kyle Owen and Daisuke Otsuka, the Leathernecks were on the front foot from the first whistle of the game, with Ryan DeBois taking a shot in the 2nd minute that missed just high. The team continued to push, and eventually got the breakthrough they were looking for.
 
Off a throw in from the near side, Devan DiGrado made a long throw into the box that was headed down by Kyle Owen. After a scramble near the penalty spot the ball made its way to DeBois, who played Arian Mehrang on a short pass. Mehrang cut on to his left foot, and fired a shot to the far post that went past the Panther 'keeper and gave Western a lead in the 42nd minute. Neither team would score in the remaining three minutes, and Western held a lead at the break.

At half, the Leathernecks had out shot their counterparts 6-2 in the game's first 45 minutes, drawing six fouls and forcing the goalkeeper to make two saves. The defense limited the Panther attack to just two shots, one of which was saved by goalkeeper Alex Flowers.
 
The second half saw a noticeable uptick in the work rate and scrappiness, with both teams playing a more physical style. Eastern Illinois shot ten times in the final 45 minutes alone, but the team kept its composure and the defense held tight as the Leathernecks rode the half out into a 1-0 victory. 
 
16 Leathernecks played in the game, combining for nine shots (three on goal) and drawing 15 Panther fouls. Mehrang finished with three shots (all on goal), and Flowers finished with six saves in the game – five of which came during the second half.
 
Western Illinois has one more game remaining in the regular season, heading on the road to face Omaha. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. on Saturday (Nov. 6).  
 
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