MACOMB, Ill. — The Western Illinois Men's Soccer team returns to action Saturday, Sept. 5, traveling to Green Bay for a 2 p.m. matchup at Aldo Santaga Stadium.
The Leathernecks enter the contest 2-1-1 on the season after battling Bradley to a 1-1 draw Wednesday night in Peoria. Western Illinois struck first in the 23rd minute when Xavier Gagnon finished a chance assisted by Fabrizio Kasperiski. Bradley answered just 77 seconds later, and the teams remained tied through the final whistle.
Despite being forced to play the final minutes with 10 players following a red card in the 87th minute, Western Illinois held Bradley scoreless to secure the draw. Goalkeeper Harvey Bolland made a key save in the second half to help preserve the result.
Green Bay enters Saturday's matchup following a 2-0 loss at Saint Louis on Wednesday. The Billikens held a 13-1 advantage in shots, with Green Bay goalkeeper Drew Swancutt making five saves.
BEST START SINCE 2008
Western Illinois enters Saturday's contest with a 2-1-1 record through four matches. With a victory over Green Bay, the Leathernecks would move to 3-1-1 through five games, marking the program's best five-match start since 2008, when Western Illinois opened the season 5-0-0.
The Leathernecks have already opened the 2026 campaign with wins over Quincy and Illinois Springfield and a draw against Bradley, putting the team in position to continue its strong start Saturday.
LOOKING FOR FIRST WIN OVER GREEN BAY
Saturday's matchup will be the sixth meeting between Western Illinois and Green Bay, with the Phoenix holding a 5-0 advantage in the all-time series.
A Western Illinois victory would mark the Leathernecks' first-ever win over Green Bay while also giving the team its best five-match start in 18 years.
GAGNON LEADS THE ATTACK
Xavier Gagnon has provided an important offensive spark for the Leathernecks early in the season. Gagnon scored Western Illinois' lone goal in Wednesday's draw at Bradley, giving him another goal as the Leathernecks continue their opening stretch of the season.
The Leathernecks have also received contributions throughout the lineup, with Fabrizio Kasperiski recording an assist against Bradley and Ryan Wrobleski, Jokubas Samsonas, George Frost, Diego Porras and Jack Schwering all recording shots in the contest.
BETWEEN THE POSTS
Harvey Bolland has been steady in goal for Western Illinois and came up with an important second-half save against Bradley to keep the match level.
Green Bay will counter with Drew Swancutt, who recorded five saves in Wednesday's loss at Saint Louis.
FOLLOW THE LEATHERNECKS
For all the latest information on Leatherneck men's soccer, visit GoLeathernecks.com. Fans can also follow Western Illinois men's soccer on X, Instagram and Facebook.
