MACOMB, Ill. — Western Illinois men's soccer battled defending NJCAA Division I national champion Indian Hills Community College to a 2-2 draw Monday in the Leathernecks' first preseason test.
The Leathernecks used the preseason matchup as an opportunity to put their work from fall camp into game action, facing a strong Indian Hills squad that entered the contest ranked No. 1 in the NJCAA Division I preseason poll.
Ty Duax and Diego Porras each found the back of the net for the Leathernecks. Porras converted a penalty kick during the second 30-minute period as Western built a 2-0 advantage.
Indian Hills responded with two goals during the final 30-minute period, scoring twice to level the match at 2-2.
Despite allowing the two goals late, Western's defense provided a strong foundation throughout the match against the defending national champions. Western Illinois defender Fernando Adrados praised the Leathernecks' performance at the back, particularly against Indian Hills' use of long diagonal balls.
"I think we played a really solid match. We were really good in there against a team that basically all their danger came from long balls, especially diagonal balls, and we dealt with them really well at the center back position," Adrados said. "Obviously, we have to learn how to manage those balls better. But I think overall, it was a solid game from the back, and I think that's where our foundation is."
The preseason matchup gave Western an opportunity to put its work from fall camp into game action while continuing to build chemistry between its returning players and newcomers.
As the Leathernecks prepare for the regular season, Adrados believes the team's biggest area of focus will be its mentality. Western will look to turn its technical ability into results when the regular season begins.
"I think it's all about our mentality, because technique wise, we are a very solid team," Adrados said. "You can see it in our training, you can see it on the small side. When we go to 11s, we have a really, really technical team, but I think it's all going to be mental."
Adrados added that the Leathernecks will need to learn how to manage matches once they take the lead.
"It's about scoring a goal early and then knowing how to get the shutout," Adrados said. "I think mentally is going to be our biggest challenge and what we need to work on."
Western now turns its attention to the start of the regular season. The Leathernecks open the regular season Saturday, Aug. 22, against Quincy University at 5 p.m. in Macomb.
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