Where | Shea Stadium - Peoria, IL | John MacKenzie Alumni Field
When | 
Thursday, August 29, 7 PM @ Bradley          Stream        Live Stats
Sunday, September 1, 5 PM vs. Quincy         Live Stats
(All times central)

Meet the Braves:
Western Illinois is 16-19-4 all-time against Bradley, with their last win being a one-nil victory in 2015. In their opening week in 2024, Bradley split their pair of matches, defeating Chicago State one-nil, and falling to Milwaukee two-three. Junior forward Kevin Mejias, who led Bradley with seven points in 2023, scored the game-winner against the Cougars. Last season, Bradley only picked up four points in MVC play and was slated to finish last in the conference's preseason poll. 

Hosting the Hawks:
NCAA Division II side Quincy will come to Macomb on Sunday, marking the first time the Leathernecks have taken on Quincy in a regular season game since 2003. The Hawks are yet to play a regular-season game in 2024, as they will not open their season until September 5th. In 2023, the Hawks finished 5-10-2 in regular season play, going 4-7-2 in GLVC play. The Leathernecks defeated Quincy two-nil in an exhibition in 2023. 

Two Games In:
Grand Canyon played host to the Leathernecks to open the season, and defeated WIU three-nil, using pressing and their speed to capitalize on defensive mistakes. The Leathernecks looked like a team in their first game of the year, still trying to find a rhythm, and trying to find ways to create chances was difficult. Sunday's match at Butler looked like a whole new squad, as Leathernecks shifted formation to play three center backs, which allowed Western's outside backs and wingers to find space. Freshman winger Tyler Philpott was particularly great, providing good defensive effort, and beating defenders with speed and skill. He provided an assist to the clinical Liam Gainey in the Leathernecks' one-all draw with the Bulldogs, as the Leathernecks showed a lot of fight playing with ten men down the stretch. 

Key Returners:
Western Illinois brings back 14 players from its 2023 squad. In his third year with the Leathernecks, midfielder Oscar Olingdahl looks to have a big season, as he's started 25 games in his Leatherneck career. After a stellar freshman season where he started all 17 matches, Joel McIntyre will be a key factor for the 2024 side. Another defender, Gabe Chapa, also started in all matches last season and ranked second on the team in minutes played in 2023. An attacker, Xavier Gagnon, also started all matches last season and scored on two occasions while leading all freshmen in minutes. 

Player to Watch:
In the Ohio Valley Conference's preseason poll, Jimmy Baars was named an OVC Player to Watch. A senior midfielder, Baars is in his second year with the Leathernecks. A native of Kudelstaart, Netherlands, Baars started in seven of his 14 appearances, totaling 590 minutes on the year. He finished his 2023 campaign with nine shot attempts and four on goal. 

Fresh Faces:
Dr. Eric Johnson and company refreshes the 2024 squad with new, exciting talent, as he brings in 15 newcomers to this team. Goalkeeper Micah Ramirez transfers in from Temple, where he made 22 saves in five appearances. Joining him as junior transfers are midfielder Dayton Strattman from St. Charles Community College, defender Gabriel Velasco from Irvine Valley College, and midfielder Shu Kato from Southern Nazarene. Highlighting the newcomers are 11 freshmen. Of the freshmen, five are defenders, those being Ryan Wrobleski, Benjamin Graham, Leevi Swearengen, August Jacus, and Fernando Adrados Castro. Five more freshmen are attacking players, as Henrry Abarca-Gonzalez, Bruce Harris, Will Knight, Tyler Philpott, and Ty Duax join the squad. Another newcomer, Alexis Michaud, is the only freshman keeper on the squad.