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Sarah Ritter

Previewing WIU’s Sunday Matchup at Drake

| By: WIU Athletic Communications

After playing a home game on Friday (Sept. 17), Leatherneck women’s soccer will head to Des Moines for a matchup with the Bulldogs.

Who | Western Illinois (5-2-0) at Drake (4-3-1)
When | Sunday (Sept. 19) at 1 p.m.
Where | Drake Stadium (Des Moines, Iowa)
Social media | Instagram + Twitter + Facebook + #TRADITIONofTOUGH
 
Previous matchup: Western Illinois and Drake have played 13 times in program history, with the Leathernecks holding a 4-9-0 record. The last matchup was Sept. 20, 2019, which finished as a 1-0 Bulldog win in Macomb.
 
Players to watch:
The back line has been up to the challenge in recent weeks and has been a key factor in the team's current run of form. Spearheaded by Lauryn Peters, Cassidy Grunewald and Angie Knies, the Leatherneck defense has allowed just two goals in their last three games.
 
"The back line has worked well together in the last few games and have really come together to play as a unit," associate head coach Josee Primeau said. "Their work ethic and determination to be better than our opponents' offense has been tough to beat."
 
Natalie Nagle and Jenna Lundgren have also played a huge role in the recent defensive form, and both seniors have made their impact by providing a high amount of energy in the middle of the pitch.
 
"Part of the reason the back line has played so well is due to the help of Natalie Nagle and Jenna Lundgren, who anchor our midfield," Primeau added. "They are taking care of business by working together defensively, winning balls in the air, and aggressively joining into our attack."

So far this season: After finishing last season with two wins, the Leathernecks have come out firing early in the season and are currently on a five-game winning streak. The last time the team went on a run like this was during the 2012 season when they had two streaks of five or more wins in a row.
 
Lauryn Peters leads the team in minutes played (639) and seven different players have scored a goal, including two true freshmen. There are also seven Leathernecks who have assisted on goals, with Amy Andrews, Bridget Schuler and Kayla Turner all providing at least two. After finishing with ten goals as a team last year, the 2021 team has scored 15 through their first seven games.
 
The team has one game against Eastern Michigan on Friday before matching up with Drake.

Scouting the opponent: The Bulldogs are currently 4-3-1 and coming off an upset win against No. 15 Memphis. Though Drake was out shot 29-4 and didn't take a corner for the entire game, goalkeeper Kelsie Stone made 10 saves and the Bulldogs were 2-0 victors. They play Kansas City at home on Friday (Sept. 17) before Sunday's game with Western.

What's next: Sunday's game at Drake signals the end of nonconference play, as the Leathernecks will have approximately two weeks off before traveling to Brookings, S.D., to open Summit League Play with a matchup against the South Dakota State Jackrabbits on Oct. 1. 
 
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