Men's soccer seeks to turn the tide
Dan Jacobson
Issue date: 9/11/09 Section: Sports
The Fighting Leathernecks men's soccer team will play in their second tournament this weekend in Cincinnati. The men will be participating in the Adidas/Bearcats Classic.
The tournament begins on Friday when the 'Necks will play the hosting team, the Cincinnati Bearcats.
The Bearcats began their season on a tear, winning their first three games, taking down Canisius, Dayton and Wright State.
This match will prove to be a tough one, as the Bearcats have held opponents to two consecutive shutouts, while outscoring teams this season in a 12-2 margin.
Although the 'Necks have lost their first three games this season, players and coaches have taken a lot from each game and look to take that newfound experience into the Adidas/Bearcats Classic.
"These tournaments show us that every single game is a battle," said head coach Dr. Eric Johnson. "We've got two more tough matches coming up this weekend and I fully believe we will be ready to play against some good, physical teams."
After their first match against the Bearcats, the 'Necks will continue their tough schedule against another undefeated team in High Point University, located in North Carolina.
This game marks the first ever meeting between the two teams.
The Panthers have allowed just one goal in three games, as they look to finish the tournament against the 'Necks on Sunday, Sept. 13.
"We improved dramatically from the Graceland match and we looked better against Wisconsin than we did against UW-Milwaukee, which is exactly what we need; improvement from one game to the next," Johnson said.
The 'Necks have not only improved their play over the past couple games, but have gained the confidence needed to take on bigger, better opponents.
Western lost with just minutes left to powerhouse Wisconsin last weekend.
During the Middleton Sports Fitness Invitational, Western Illinois defenders Kooten Johnson and Adam Rappin were both named to the all-tournament team.
Senior goalkeeper Stephen Peterson has allowed six goals this season, while notching a 14 save per game ratio while allowing two goals per game.
While the defense has been more than solid this year, the offense has not yet scored a goal this season.
Although the season hasn't started in the way the team had hoped, coming back and learning from those losses is the new driving factor.
The 'Necks return from the Adidas/Bearcats tournament to play their second regular season home game against Central Arkansas at 11 a.m., Sunday, September 27.
The tournament begins on Friday when the 'Necks will play the hosting team, the Cincinnati Bearcats.
The Bearcats began their season on a tear, winning their first three games, taking down Canisius, Dayton and Wright State.
This match will prove to be a tough one, as the Bearcats have held opponents to two consecutive shutouts, while outscoring teams this season in a 12-2 margin.
Although the 'Necks have lost their first three games this season, players and coaches have taken a lot from each game and look to take that newfound experience into the Adidas/Bearcats Classic.
"These tournaments show us that every single game is a battle," said head coach Dr. Eric Johnson. "We've got two more tough matches coming up this weekend and I fully believe we will be ready to play against some good, physical teams."
After their first match against the Bearcats, the 'Necks will continue their tough schedule against another undefeated team in High Point University, located in North Carolina.
This game marks the first ever meeting between the two teams.
The Panthers have allowed just one goal in three games, as they look to finish the tournament against the 'Necks on Sunday, Sept. 13.
"We improved dramatically from the Graceland match and we looked better against Wisconsin than we did against UW-Milwaukee, which is exactly what we need; improvement from one game to the next," Johnson said.
The 'Necks have not only improved their play over the past couple games, but have gained the confidence needed to take on bigger, better opponents.
Western lost with just minutes left to powerhouse Wisconsin last weekend.
During the Middleton Sports Fitness Invitational, Western Illinois defenders Kooten Johnson and Adam Rappin were both named to the all-tournament team.
Senior goalkeeper Stephen Peterson has allowed six goals this season, while notching a 14 save per game ratio while allowing two goals per game.
While the defense has been more than solid this year, the offense has not yet scored a goal this season.
Although the season hasn't started in the way the team had hoped, coming back and learning from those losses is the new driving factor.
The 'Necks return from the Adidas/Bearcats tournament to play their second regular season home game against Central Arkansas at 11 a.m., Sunday, September 27.
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