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Western Illinois University Athletics

Team
Scott Holland
2
Winner Loyola Chicago LUC (1-0-0, 0-0-0)
1
Western Ill. WIU (0-1-0, 0-0-0)
Winner
Loyola Chicago LUC
(1-0-0, 0-0-0)
2
Final
1
Western Ill. WIU
(0-1-0, 0-0-0)
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Loyola Chicago LUC 1 1 2
Western Ill. WIU 1 0 1

Game Recap: Men's Soccer | | WIU Athletic Communications

WIU Men Fall in Exhibition

Western Illinois plays one final home exhibition next Friday (Aug. 19).

MACOMB, Ill. – The Western Illinois men's soccer team opened its 2022 season on Saturday (Aug. 13), falling 2-1 in an exhibition matchup against the Ramblers of Loyola Chicago. The Leathernecks are set to play one more exhibition before starting regular season play on Aug. 25.
 
Featuring a starting 11 that included 2021 Second Team All-Summit goalkeeper Alex Flowers and returning players such as Arian Mehrang, Benedikt Zechmeister and Muazu Sagir, it was the Ramblers who struck first, scoring in the 11th minute. Despite the setback, the Leathernecks would not go away and found their response later in the first half.
 
Loyola took possession of the ball in their own box after a Leatherneck free kick, but high pressure from Kyle Owen forced a turnover. Owen then played a simple ball to Liam Gainey who made no mistake with his far-post finish, leveling the game in the 40th minute. Neither team would score the rest of the period and it was level at the break.
 
The second half would be a highly competitive period of play with both teams finding opportunities to put shots on goal. Loyola found the lead in the 53rd minute of action, but Western responded with several key plays. Ramy Atia had a sprawling save to his right off a direct free kick, with shots by players such as Xavier Brown and DeBois in the game's final ten minutes missing just wide. Loyola would lead 2-1, however, when the final horn sounded.
 
Alex Flowers (four) and Ramy Atia (three) combined to make seven saves for the Leathernecks, while Liam Gainey led the team in shots with four (three on target). Arian Mehrang and Armin Dedic also recorded shots, as Western finished with nine shots and four on goal. The Leathernecks drew eight fouls as 23 different players made an appearance, including several freshmen who made their Western Illinois debuts.
 
Western is back in action next Friday (Aug. 19), hosting Chicago State in an exhibition matchup at John MacKenzie Alumni Field. 
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