| October 12, 2012
TWICE AS NICE
Leathernecks finally score two
CHARLESTON, Ill. - Mario Alvaraez and Nathan Bruisma scored second half, goals, the first time Western Illinois scored two goals in a game in more than a month to defeat Eastern Illinois 2-1 in a Summit League contest at Lakeside Field on Friday evening.
With the victory, the Leathernecks snap an eight-game winless streak and improve to 3-7-3 and 1-1-2 in The Summit League, while the Panthers fall to 2-11 and 0-4 in the conference.
Western Illinois scored first for just the third time in 2012 (3-0 in those games), when junior Charlie Bales found Alvarez in front of the goal, who scored his second goal of the season in the 57th minute. Bales' assist was his third of the year, most on the team.
Just over 15 minutes later, the Leathernecks pushed the lead to 2-0. Bruinsma put in a header from five yards out on a cross from junior Drew Edmond. Bruinsma's goal was his second of the year and 13th of his career, while Edmond's assist was his first of 2012.
Eastern Illinois responded with a Jake Brillhart goal from short range in the 82nd minute, assisted by Will Butler.
Sophomore keeper Yves Dietrich made four saves in goal to earn the win and move to 3-7-3. Eastern Illinois' Evan Turner also made four saves.
"We got very good performances from all 13 guys that played and scored two very good goals," Western Illinois head coach Dr. Eric Johnson said. "[It was] a step in the right direction."
The win was the Leathernecks' first since a 1-0 victory over Valparaiso on Sept. 2, and also marked the first time scoring two goals in a game since defeating DePaul 2-1 on Aug. 29.
Western Illinois now sits in fourth place in The Summit League with five points, though the six other league teams will play their fourth conference game Saturday.
The Leathernecks will have eight days off before traveling to IUPUI on Saturday, Oct. 20 to continue conference play.
|
