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Leathernecks Face Eagles, Golden Eagles as Season Winds Down

| By: WIU Athletic Communications

WIU men’s soccer hits the road to face Southern Indiana on Wednesday (Oct. 26) before hosting Oral Roberts on Saturday (Oct. 29)

Who | Western Illinois (2-6-6, 2-1-2 SL) at Southern Indiana (1-11-2, 1-4 SL) / vs Oral Roberts (9-3-2, 5-1 SL)
When | Wednesday (Oct. 23) – 6 p.m. / Saturday (Oct. 29) – 3 p.m.
Where | Strassweg Field – Evansville, Ind. / John MacKenzie Alumni Field – Macomb, Ill.
Social media | Instagram + Twitter + Facebook 

Matchup History: Though the 2022-23 season is Southern Indiana's first at the Division-I level, the Leathernecks and Eagles have matched up three times in program history, last playing on Oct. 30, 1994. Western holds a 1-2 record in those matchups, all of which predate head coach Dr. Eric Johnson's time at WIU. Against Oral Roberts, Western holds a 17-11-3 record; the last matchup came on Oct. 9, 2021, which finished 1-0 in favor of the Golden Eagles. Kyle Owen and Alex Flowers played all 90 minutes as Western put in a strong defensive effort.

Scouting the opponents: Southern Indiana has struggled in recent weeks, earning its first victory over Eastern Illinois on Oct. 1 but falling in the next three games against Omaha, No. 15 Denver, and Lindenwood. The Eagles have found it difficult to score goals this season, with 10 goals in 14 games while allowing a league-high 35. Nick Faddis leads the team in points with six, scoring twice and assisting on two more goals. Oral Roberts currently sits atop the Summit League standings, boasting the league's most potent attack that is pouring in over two goals per game. Since falling 1-0 in a road match against the Denver Pioneers on Sept. 24, ORU has posted a 5-0-1 record while combining to outscore opponents 20-5 across the six contests.

Players to watch: Now in his fourth season as a Leatherneck, Kyle Owen has had a strong 2022 campaign. Originally from Oklahoma City, Okla., Owen has scored in three of his last four games and also recorded one assist in Western's 3-2 victory over Lindenwood. His three total goals is tied for the team lead while ranking second on the team in points (10) and leading all field players in minutes played (1,220).
 
Leading the team in game time this season is goalkeeper Alex Flowers, who has played every single minute of the 2022 campaign, a total of 1,260 across 14 appearances (14 starts). His statistics this season rank among the Summit League's elite, as he currently ranks third in the league for goals allowed per game (1.3), tied for fourth in shutouts (two), third in saves (56) and second in save percentage (75.7). 

What's next: After this week's games, Western will conclude its season on the road against Denver, heading west to face the Pioneers at 5 p.m. CT next Saturday (Nov. 5).
 
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