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Men’s Soccer Preps for Season Opener on Friday

| By: WIU Athletic Communications

Western Illinois takes on Eastern Illinois in Burlington, Iowa on Friday (Feb. 12) at 6 p.m.

Who | Western Illinois (0-0) vs. Eastern Illinois (0-1)
When | Friday (Feb. 12) at 6 p.m.  
Where | FunCity Turf - Burlington, Iowa
Social Media | Twitter + Facebook #TRADITIONofTOUGH

Kickoff | After earning a share of the regular-season title last season and earning the No. 1 seed in The Summit League Championships, Western Illinois, begins the season against Eastern Illinois on Friday (Feb. 12) night.  

Covid-19 Protocols | Due to Covid-19 Protocols, fans will not be allowed in attendance for the match. Fans can follow on live stats and on @WIUMensSoccer

A Season to Remember | After an 0-11 start to the 2019 season, WIU knocked off Denver for the first time in program history at home, which led them to sweep the rest of Summit League play, including defeating No. 20/24 Oral Roberts on the road for a share of the title.  

Returning Hardware | The Leathernecks highlighted last year's regular-season awards by taking home eight individual accolades and return six of the seven-player award winners.

Dr. Eric Johnson | Co-Coach of the Year 
Paul Kirdorf | Defensive Player of the Year & First-Team All-League 
Ryan DeBois | First-Team All-League
Cesar Cosio | Second-Team All-Summit
Daisuke Otsuka | All-Newcomer Team 
Cameron Territo | All-Newcomer Team
Kyle Owen | All-Newcomer Team 

Breakout Season | To say Ryan DeBois had a breakout season would be an understatement. Heading into the 2019 campaign, he did not record a goal for Western. He then finished as the team leader and second in The Summit League with seven in only 12 shots on frame. The native of Maple Grove, Minn.,  scored in seven of the last nine matches en route to a team-high 14 points. 

Off the field, he was just dominant as boosted a perfect 4.0 to be named a CoSIDA Academic All-District First-Team and a spot on the Academic All-American Second Team. 

Newcomers | This season the Purple and Gold welcomed 10 newcomers - Kory Soulinthavong, Gavin Benson, Damian Rincon, Blaise Snabes, Mekhi Royes, Muazu Sagir, Jesse Agyekum, Wail Algahim, Christian Sanchez, and Alex Flowers. 

Preseason Recognition | Midfielders Cesar Cosio and Paul Kirdorf were named 2021 Summit League Preseason Players to Watch. Kirdrof earned the recognition in back-to-back seasons, while Cosio collected it for the first time in his career. 

Schedule Format | The league's six men's soccer members will play a 10-match regular season double-round robin format during the spring season with a match at each respective school's travel partner to open and close the season. In between, teams will play the same opponent twice at one site with three bye weeks and a make-up week built into the schedule. 

The Joint Council agreed to grant the league's automatic bid to the regular-season champion and forego a Championship in the spring with Western Illinois, the 2019 regular-season co-champion, retaining the right to host the 2021 Championship.

Up Next | WIU heads to face the preseason poll favorite, Denver, on Feb. 18 and Feb. 20. 

 
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