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Sarah Ritter

WIU Hosts Lindenwood and Detroit Mercy

| By: WIU Athletic Communications

Leathernecks play Saturday and Tuesday before hitting the road next week.

Who | Western Illinois (0-6-5, 0-1-2 Summit League) vs Lindenwood (2-7-1, 1-2 Summit League) / Detroit Mercy (3-5-4, 2-1-3 Horizon league)
When | Saturday, Oct. 15 – 1 p.m. / Tuesday (Oct. 18) – 3 p.m.
Where | John MacKenzie Alumni Field – Macomb, Ill.
Social media | Instagram + Twitter + Facebook 

Matchup History: With Lindenwood University in its first season at the Division I level, Saturday's matchup is the first time Western Illinois men's soccer has hosted the Lions. The Lions were previously a member of the Division-II Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) and now play in the Ohio Valley Conference for most sports, while being a Summit League affiliate member in men's soccer and swimming and diving. Against Detroit Mercy, Western holds a 4-2 record, most recently playing on Oct. 15, 2019. That 2019 matchup, played in Macomb, with current Leatherneck Ryan DeBois scoring the opening goal. DeBois, Caleb Ragland, Arian Mehrang and Kyle Owen all started the game as Western was came out victorious, winning 2-0.

Scouting the opponents: The Lindenwood Lions are currently 2-7-1 and coming off a 2-1 home victory against fellow Summit League opponents Eastern Illinois. The team's defense has had its struggles this season, allowing 27 goals in 12 matches, which ranks as the third-most behind St. Thomas and Southern Indiana, who are tied with 27 goals against. Anis Smajlovic leads the team in total points with three goals and three assists, and his nine total points ranks sixth among all Summit League players. The Detroit Mercy Titans have been a middle-of-the-pack Horizon League team in goals scored (1.2) and goals allowed (1.9). With an offense led by Samory Powder's three goals and five assists, goalkeeper Jonathan Kliewer has made 66 saves across 12 appearances (12 starts) this season.

So far this season: Western Illinois is 0-6-5 on the season and coming off a 1-1 draw on the road at Eastern Illinois last Saturday (Oct. 8). While the team has struggled to create goals this season, the Leatherneck defense has been big, allowing just 15 goals in 11 games, which is the third-fewest among Summit League teams. When averaged out, the 1.36 goals allowed per game is the second-lowest average in the league, while Alex Flowers' .750 save percentage is third-highest in the league.

Players to watch: Kyle Owen and Marco Presta have both been steady contributors in the Leatherneck lineup this season, with Owen starting each of the team's 11 games and Presta starting each of his 10 appearances. As a center back pairing, the duo have helped lead a much improved Leatherneck defense that has allowed almost one goal fewer per game this season when compared to last and held opposing offense to just 1.36 goals per game – an average that ranks as the second-lowest mark in the entire Summit League. Owen, who entered this season with three goals in his WIU career, is coming off a matchup with Eastern Illinois where he scored his first of the 2022 season.
 
What's next: Western is on the road for three of its final four games, first heading to St. Paul to face St. Thomas next Saturday (Oct. 22).
 
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