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Western Illinois Finishes Off Non-Conference Slate with NIU, IU Indy matches

| By: WIU ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

The Leathernecks will face off against in-state rival Northern Illinois on Friday in Macomb before traveling to Indianapolis for the second time this year, this time to take on IU Indianapolis.

Where | John MacKenzie Alumni Field - Macomb, Ill. | Michael A. Carroll Stadium - Indianapolis, Ind.

When | 
Friday, September 20, 5 PM vs. Northern Illinois          Stream        Live Stats
Tuesday, September 24, 7 PM @ IU Indianapolis          Stream        Live Stats
(All times central)

About the Huskies:
Northern Illinois has opened the season with a 2-6 record, defeating Chicago State 4-2 in late August, and recently defeating Mercyhurst 1-0 on Monday. Northern Illinois went through their first six matches without a clean sheet, before the Mercyhurst victory marked the first time the Huskies have left an opponent goalless. NIU has been historically dominant over the Leathernecks, leading the all-time series 27-5. The Huskies are 0-3 on the road in 2024, losing to St. Thomas, Memphis, and Bowling Green State. WIU will look to keep the Huskies pointless on the road in 2024, as they take on NIU at John MacKenzie on Friday evening. 

Meet the Jaguars:
IU Indianapolis (3-2-1) has already defeated a pair of Ohio Valley Conference schools, as they opened the season with back-to-back wins against Incarnate Word and Houston Christian. Their only home match immediately followed, as they took a 4-1 home loss to Bowling Green State, who became ranked #24 in the most recent United Soccer Coaches poll. Over their past three matches, the Jaguars have tallied three different results, drawing Saint Louis, beating Akron, and losing to Wright State. Jose Antonio Herrera leads the Jaguars in goals with three and has also scored a pair of game-winners in 2024. Western is 11-12-4 all-time against IU Indy. 

Massive Road Victory:
Western Illinois defeated Gonzaga on Sunday night in Spokane, 3-2. Liam Gainey and Ty Duax were excellent in the first half, as both players scored as the Leathernecks took a 2-1 lead into the half. After conceding halfway through the second, WIU netted the winner after Xavier Gagnon assisted Tyler Philpott on the game-winner. The victory marked the first road win for the Leathernecks since October 22, 2022, a 1-0 win at St. Thomas. It was the first non-conference road win for WIU since October 23, 2018, a 1-0 victory over Detroit Mercy. 

The Season So Far:
The 3-3-1 Leathernecks recently claimed victories over Quincy and Saint Ambrose, both matches being won by two goals. The Leathernecks earned an early draw at Butler, tying one-all against a solid Bulldogs squad. Western Illinois has dropped matches at Grand Canyon, Bradley, and Northern Kentucky in 2024, all by three goals or more. Freshman right winger Tyler Philpott has been an aggressive attacker for the Leathernecks, as he's tallied 22 shot attempts in just seven games, leading the OVC. Xavier Gagnon, who's been playing on the left wing for most of 2024, has been an offensive force for the Leathernecks, racking up three goals and two assists in 2024. 

An Award for the Captain:
Following the first week of Leatherneck men's soccer action, center-back and sophomore captain Joel McIntyre was named the OVC's Defensive Player of the Week. McIntyre helped lead the Leatherneck defense to a one-all draw with Butler. The award was the first of McIntyre's career. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

FOLLOW THE LEATHERNECKS
For all the latest information on Leatherneck Men's Soccer, please visit GoLeathernecks.com. For up-to-the-minute updates, follow the Leathernecks on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and Facebook.
 
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