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vs Eastern Michigan 700.4658
George Hartmann

Women's Soccer to Begin Regular Season

| By: WIU Athletic Communications

Leathernecks hit the road for a matchup with Eastern Michigan.

Who | Western Illinois (0-0-0) at Eastern Michigan (0-0-0)
When | Thursday, Aug. 18, 2022
Where | Legacy Center Sports Complex – Brighton, Mich.
Social media | Instagram + Twitter + Facebook 

Previous matchup: Western Illinois has won each of its three previous matchups against Eastern Michigan, winning by a combined total of 6-2. Last season, the Leathernecks and Eagles matched up in Macomb, as Western came out with a 2-1 victory after a late penalty kick was converted. Outshooting EMU 24-10 (9-6 on target), five current Leathernecks started and four played at least 50 minutes.  
 
Players to watch: WIU women's soccer welcomed seven new faces into the program this offseason, as Emily Martins, Sydnee Sagal, Samantha Claesson, Sarah De Gannes, Hana Daoudi, Olivia Heinert and Willow Bade officially joined the Tradition of Tough. This class includes five true freshmen and two transfers, with Sagal joining from Drake and De Gannes coming from Brewton-Parker College.
 
"We certainly have a different looking group than we did last year. We're a little smaller in terms of numbers, but this provides more opportunity for different players to step up, more playing time to be earned, and leadership qualities to be taken over by different players," head coach Josèe Primeau said. "The core of our team looks very different but all in all we've had a really good preseason and attitudes are looking really good. Everyone's really excited to get the season underway."
 
Amy Andrews and Angie Knies were named as players to watch on Tuesday (Aug. 16), as the Leathernecks were picked to finish fifth in the Summit League after improving their record by nine wins last season. Andrews scored a program-record 12 goals last season and officially became the all-time leading scorer in program history as Knies ranked fifth on the roster in minutes played while tying for the team-lead in appearances and starts.

So far this season: After a highly successful 2021 season that saw Western Illinois win 11 games, the Leathernecks played three exhibitions during the 2022 preseason and finish with a 1-1-1 record. The exhibition schedule opened with a 1-1 draw against SEMO that saw Amy Andrews finish a pass from Kayla Turner, and was followed by a 4-0 victory over Quincy. Against the Hawks, Andrews scored twice and added an assist, while Alex Bassen and Olivia Heinert scored goals with assists from Leah Ahlers and Audrey Narine. The preseason slate ended with a 3-0 road loss to SIUE.

"The girls are excited because we had a really good exhibition schedule... I think we got better from game to game," Primeau said. "We learned a lot and we got our freshmen some crucial minutes so going into Eastern Michigan I feel good because I think our foundation and our core is there and will continue to improve from game to game."

Scouting the opponent: Eastern Michigan played two exhibitions during their preseason, finishing 0-2 after losses to Oakland and Detroit Mercy. EMU finished 2-13-3 during the 2021 season, defeating Morehead State and Northern Illinois while working their way into draws against St. Bonaventure, Ball State and Toledo.

What's next: With Thursday's matchup signaling the start of the 2022 season, Western is back in action next Thursday (Aug. 25) for a road matchup at Green Bay. Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m.
 
 
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