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Matthew Brooks

Men's Soccer Begins League Play

| By: WIU Athletic Communications

The Omaha Mavericks will travel to Macomb.

Who | Western Illinois (0-4-3) vs Omaha (3-3-1)
When | Saturday, Sept. 24 – 1 p.m.
Where | John MacKenzie Alumni Field – Macomb, Ill.
Social media | Instagram + Twitter + Facebook 

Matchup History: Western Illinois and Omaha have played 13 times in program history, most recently facing off on the final day of the 2021 season. In that matchup, played on Nov. 6, 2021, the Leathernecks and Mavericks ended up going into overtime, with Omaha scoring in the 97th minute to claim a 1-0 victory. Kyle Owen, Arian Mehrang and Benedikt Zechmeister all played the full 97 minutes while Alex Flowers finished with five saves.

So far this season: The Leathernecks are currently 0-4-3 on the year and coming off a weekend with mixed results. It started with a close 1-0 loss to Northern Illinois, and was followed by a 1-1 draw at home against Northern Kentucky. Arian Mehrang scored as Western led the game in shots, 11-9 (6-5 on target), making him the fifth different Leatherneck to score a goal this year while Luis Rodrigues' assist made him the third player to record an assist this season.  

Scouting the opponents: The Mavericks are currently 3-3-1 and coming off back-to-back losses against Creighton and Rio Grande Valley. Led by first-year head coach Donovan Dowling, the Maverick attack is led by Mathis Pilon St-Louis, who is currently tied for the league-lead in goals with four. At an average of 1.7 per game Omaha is the top-scoring team among Summit League Schools, while the team's .561 save percentage is second-lowest in the conference.
 
Players to watch: Arian Mehrang scored his first goal of the season against Northern Kentucky on Tuesday (Sept. 20), curling a ball to the far post to give Western Illinois a lead in the 30th minute. A midfielder/forward from Brampton, Ontario, Canada, Mehrang ranks fifth in the Summit League for shots and is tied for fourth on the roster in total points. Feeding Mehrang for his goal was Luis Rodrigues, who recorded his first points since joining the program with his 30th-minute assist. After controlling a Jack Immesoete ball over the top, Rodrigues took a touch and played Mehrang in with a ground pass that was finished. Originally from Lisboa, Portugal, Rodrigues transferred to Western Illinois from Cowley College.

What's next: Western is back at home for more Summit League action next weekend, hosting Kansas City at 1 p.m. on Saturday (Oct. 1). Green Bay will visit Macomb three days later, with the Tuesday kickoff scheduled for 3 p.m.
 
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