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Women's Soccer Faces NIU and ISU

| By: WIU Athletic Communications

Leathernecks play on the road Friday before coming home for Sunday.

Who | Western Illinois (0-2-3) @ Northern Illinois (2-0-2) / vs Illinois State (0-6)
When | Friday, Sept. 9 – 7 p.m. / Sept. 11 – 1 p.m.
Where | NIU Soccer and Track & Field Complex – Dekalb, Ill. / John MacKenzie Alumni Field – Macomb, Ill.
Social media | Instagram + Twitter + Facebook 

Previous matchup: Western Illinois and NIU have matched up 10 times in program history, with the last game coming on Sept. 8, 2019, which finished as a 1-0 loss in Macomb. Forward Amy Andrews, a sophomore at the time, started and recorded three shots on goal in 56 minutes of action. Andrews had a performance for the ages in Western's last matchup against Illinois State, scoring each of the team's four goals in a 4-3 overtime victory last August and earning Summit League player of the week honors. WIU trails the all-time series against ISU 2-6-2.

So far this season: Western Illinois is currently 0-2-3 and coming off a weekend series that saw the team draw with Milwaukee and fall to Loyola Chicago. Against Milwaukee, WIU earned its second clean sheet of the season in a scoreless draw before a 4-1 loss against Loyola Chicago on Sunday. The team is currently averaging 8.2 shots per game and putting 56.1% of their attempts on frame, while Sunday's game against the Ramblers tied a season high for shots on net (six).

Scouting the opponents: Northern Illinois is 2-0-2 and coming off a 2-1 victory over Eastern Illinois. The Huskies have had five different goal scorers this season and are led by head coach Michael O'Neill who is currently in his first season leading the NIU women's soccer program. Illinois State is currently 0-6 on the young season and coming off a 2-3 loss against the Milwaukee Panthers. Goalkeeper Audrey Brown has made 27 saves in six appearances (five starts) and the team will face Lindenwood in Normal on Thursday (Sept. 8) before heading to Macomb on Sunday.
 
Players to watch: After splitting time in net for the team's season opener, Isabel Navas Rodriguez has found her form and has stepped up in a big way for Western Illinois. A junior from Madrid, Spain, Navas Rodriguez has played in each of the team's five games this season and made 19 saves, earning praise from head coach Josée Primeau for her performances.
 
"Isabel was lights out today," Coach Primeau said after the Milwaukee game. "She was a big factor in our draw last week against IUPUI and then today so having her be on her best game was really good for us. She really gave the girls a bunch of confidence while providing a lot of stability at the back."
 
In her first season of collegiate soccer, forward Olivia Heinert has made an early impact, as she currently leads the team in minutes (431) while being tied for the team lead in starts (seven). Against Loyola Chicago, the Omaha, Neb., gave Western a one-goal advantage with the first goal of her career, finishing to the far post in the 17th minute.
 
"Olivia's a freshman who has been playing well. She works so hard," Primeau said. "She's still trying to learn how to play off some of our returning players but she'll get there with time. Her work ethic is just making her have the impact that she's able to have."
 
Alex Bassen has made her return to action this fall after missing last season due to injury and is playing a big role, appearing in four games and making two starts. Bassen played a season-high 70 minutes in the scoreless draw against Milwaukee before recording her first shot of the season against Loyola Chicago, playing out of the Leatherneck midfield.

What's next: Western Illinois has just one game next weekend, hitting the road to face Eastern Illinois on Friday (Sept. 16). Kickoff in Charleston is scheduled for 3 p.m. 
 
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