Johnson nears preseason end
Bill Welt
Issue date: 8/28/09 Section: Sports
The Western Illinois men's soccer team won their first exhibition match last Tuesday, 2-1, in overtime against Olivet Nazarene.
Senior midfielder Martin Browne Jr. scored the first goal off an assist from junior midfielder Nathan Sanchez in the 44th minute.
Olivet Nazarene, a National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics member, notched the game 1-1, scoring during the 68th minute.
Junior midfielder Kevin Hinds was able to close the game during 101st minute of the game off an assist from sophomore fielder Arthur Paszkowski.
Paszkowski had a good day leading the team in shots-on-goal with four and the game-winning assist to Hinds. He was an essential piece to last year's offense, scoring three goals last fall as he came on late in the season as a true freshman.
"If he had converted just once it would have been an excellent outing for him, but he played really well, and he'll continue to do so as he gets more playing time," said head coach Dr. Eric Johnson.
Western outshot Nazarene 14-9, and limited Nazarene's shots-on-goal to two with tough defense, but Johnson wants the 'Necks to be quicker on stopping the ball on defense.
"We just need to close on the ball a little quicker," Johnson said. "We looked better today at closing quicker on our opponents and not letting them pick us apart with passes."
The exhibition match versus Nazarene was only their second match of the preseason, so the team is still a bit rusty in figuring out assignments.
"Other than that one goal we didn't allow many dangerous plays," Johnson said. "There was just some confusion on defensive assignments on the play, and we let a guy slip through, but other than that, the defense is really coming
along well. We've made a lot of progress, and the guys are beginning to get their legs under them."
The goal in the first half by Browne is encouraging for the 'Necks, as Western looks to replace last year's offensive and team leader Jona Andrade.
Browne tied for second in goals last year with four alongside teammate midfielder Cosimo Patano.
Johnson would like to see his team tune-up more offensively before beginning the fall season.
"Offensively we need to find our wings better for some more scoring chances," Johnson said.
The 'Necks will compete in their final exhibition match this Saturday at 1 p.m. against Valparaiso on the John MacKenzie Alumni Field.
Johnson will seek to break preseason predictions in the Summit League this season, as Western was picked third in the Summit League behind University of Missouri-Kansas City and Oakland.
Western will begin regular season play at home on Tuesday, Sept. 1 at 4 p.m. versus Graceland.
Senior midfielder Martin Browne Jr. scored the first goal off an assist from junior midfielder Nathan Sanchez in the 44th minute.
Olivet Nazarene, a National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics member, notched the game 1-1, scoring during the 68th minute.
Junior midfielder Kevin Hinds was able to close the game during 101st minute of the game off an assist from sophomore fielder Arthur Paszkowski.
Paszkowski had a good day leading the team in shots-on-goal with four and the game-winning assist to Hinds. He was an essential piece to last year's offense, scoring three goals last fall as he came on late in the season as a true freshman.
"If he had converted just once it would have been an excellent outing for him, but he played really well, and he'll continue to do so as he gets more playing time," said head coach Dr. Eric Johnson.
Western outshot Nazarene 14-9, and limited Nazarene's shots-on-goal to two with tough defense, but Johnson wants the 'Necks to be quicker on stopping the ball on defense.
"We just need to close on the ball a little quicker," Johnson said. "We looked better today at closing quicker on our opponents and not letting them pick us apart with passes."
The exhibition match versus Nazarene was only their second match of the preseason, so the team is still a bit rusty in figuring out assignments.
"Other than that one goal we didn't allow many dangerous plays," Johnson said. "There was just some confusion on defensive assignments on the play, and we let a guy slip through, but other than that, the defense is really coming
along well. We've made a lot of progress, and the guys are beginning to get their legs under them."
The goal in the first half by Browne is encouraging for the 'Necks, as Western looks to replace last year's offensive and team leader Jona Andrade.
Browne tied for second in goals last year with four alongside teammate midfielder Cosimo Patano.
Johnson would like to see his team tune-up more offensively before beginning the fall season.
"Offensively we need to find our wings better for some more scoring chances," Johnson said.
The 'Necks will compete in their final exhibition match this Saturday at 1 p.m. against Valparaiso on the John MacKenzie Alumni Field.
Johnson will seek to break preseason predictions in the Summit League this season, as Western was picked third in the Summit League behind University of Missouri-Kansas City and Oakland.
Western will begin regular season play at home on Tuesday, Sept. 1 at 4 p.m. versus Graceland.
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