CHICAGO, ILL. – In the final preseason exhibition before starting regular season play, the Western Illinois University Men's Soccer team traveled to Chicago for a matchup with the Cougars of Chicago State, winning 2-0 and finishing unbeaten in three exhibition games. 

It didn't take long for the Leathernecks to take the lead, scoring the game's first goal in the 13^th minute. After receiving a ball over the top, Kyle Owen beat his defender and played a cross to Luke Duball. Duball quickly controlled possession and faked out both the opposing goalkeeper and his defender, slotting the ball into the opposite corner and giving Western a 1-0 lead. 

20 minutes later, Devan DiGrado doubled the Leatherneck lead off a corner kick. After the initial service came into the box, Kyle Owen won an aerial battle to get his head on the ball, knocking it down to DiGrado who composed himself and put it past the Cougar 'keeper in the 34^th minute.

No goals were scored the rest of the way, and Western finished a sweep of their preseason exhibition schedule. Across 280 minutes of exhibition play, the Leathernecks didn't allow a single goal while scoring multiple goals in each game.

Kyle Owen spearheaded the Leatherneck attack, scoring two of the team's seven goals and adding a trio of assists in three appearances. In total, six Leathernecks combined to score seven goals with Owen, Muazu Sagir, Enric Ferrer, Damian Rincon, Luke Duball and Devan DiGrado all getting on the score sheet. Along with Owen were Arian Mehrang and Cesar Cosio providing assists. 

After a few days of rest, the team heads on the road to face off against Central Methodist in their regular season opener. Kickoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. in Fayette, MO., on Thursday (Aug. 26).