By: Myla Stewart
MACOMB, IL- Oct 29. Western Illinois men’s soccer took on the conference leaders, the Oral Roberts Golden Eagles. This would be their second to last game of the regular season and their celebration of the three seniors graduating this year.
The first 20 minutes of the game was the closest battle between the Neck’s and the Golden Eagles. These minutes would be scoreless until ORU was awarded a penalty kick in the 22nd minute. With a foul in the box, ORU finished the penalty kick to the left side of the goal, just outside of goalkeeper Alex Flowers’ reach. Only two minutes later, there would be a second consecutive foul in the box, giving ORU another chance to capitalize on a penalty kick. The Neck’s were down 2-0 just like that. With a couple chippy comments exchanged between Golden Eagles and Leatherneck Luis Rodriguez, Rodriguez was handed his second direct red card of the season. With this card, the Neck’s had to play with 10 men the rest of the game, and Rodriguez will be ineligible to play in the final regular season game next week. In addition to a red card, Xavier Brown was also given a yellow card after the foul that allowed the penalty kick. This would be his fifth yellow of the season, also making him ineligible to play in the final game as well. 16 minutes after the distribution of cards, ORU would go for another two goals in the final five minutes of the first half. The score was 4-0 at the break and unfortunately Neck’s would see another four in the second half. All four goals would be scored within a 16 minute time span, and the Neck’s were unable to get a single goal on the board this game.
Seniors Arian Mehrang, Xavier Brown, and Ryan DeBois were celebrated after the game for their accomplishments throughout their years spent at Western. This would be their final home match of the season, and their collegiate career. The Leathernecks play Denver University next Saturday Nov 5. in the mile high city. The kickoff time was changed, and they will now start the match at 2 P.M. on Denver’s home pitch.
