MACOMB, Ill. — Western Illinois men's soccer returns home Sunday afternoon looking to rebound from a 3-1 road loss to DePaul when it welcomes the University of Illinois Springfield to John MacKenzie Alumni Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m.
The Leathernecks enter Sunday's matchup at 1-1-0 after opening the season Thursday against DePaul in Chicago. Western Illinois faced an early deficit, surrendering a goal just 39 seconds into the contest before DePaul added two more goals to take a 3-0 lead.
Western Illinois responded before halftime, with junior forward Adam Reiniger finding the back of the net in the 37th minute to cut the deficit to 3-1. The Leathernecks continued to create opportunities throughout the second half, but were unable to find a second goal.
Diego Porras, George Frost, Xavier Gagnon and Joel McIntyre all recorded shots on goal for Western Illinois, while goalkeeper Harvey Bolland played all 90 minutes.
Despite playing a man down for the final 16 minutes following a red card to Fernando Adrados Castro, the Leathernecks held DePaul scoreless for the remainder of the match.
"Tough way to start a game, especially on the road," Western Illinois head coach Kooten Johnson said. "Credit to our response to battle back into the game, but it just wasn't enough today. We didn't deal with the counterattack very well and missed a few good chances. We will learn from it and have a chance to bounce back Sunday."
SCOUTING ILLINOIS SPRINGFIELD
Illinois Springfield enters Sunday's contest at 0-1-0 after falling 2-1 to Alabama-Huntsville in its season opener at Kiwanis Stadium.
The Prairie Stars fell behind early when Oli Orzechowski scored just under 10 minutes into the match. UIS answered before halftime, with Gentil Selemani finding the back of the net to even the contest at 1-1.
Orzechowski scored his second goal of the match in the second half to put UAH back in front. The Prairie Stars generated opportunities to equalize, including attempts from Jacob Shaw and Liam McLean, but could not find the tying goal.
UIS goalkeeper Kevin Kardel made six saves in his collegiate debut. The Prairie Stars were also reduced to 10 players late in the match after Selemani received a red card in the 87th minute.
"It was a tough game. We knew they would be very physical and direct and live for set pieces and long throws, which they scored from on two free kicks," UIS head coach Graham Shaw said. "I thought we grew into the game and found ourselves level in the first half. In the second, we created some good chances and probably did enough to get ourselves level for a second time, but we couldn't find it. We move on to Western Illinois now on Sunday, and it's a good opportunity to bounce back."
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