Men's Soccer Opens Home Campaign This Week

FORT WAYNE, Ind. - Mastodon men's soccer (0-1-1) digs deeper into their non-conference matchups this weekend at the Hefner Soccer Complex. The 'Dons are scheduled to take on Western Illinois on Friday (Sept. 2) and Eastern Illinois on Sunday (Sept. 4).

Game Day Information
Who: Western Illinois (0-1-0)
When: Friday, September 2 | 3 p.m. ET
Where: Fort Wayne, Ind. | Hefner Soccer Complex
Video: None
Live Stats: Link
About The Leathernecks: The Leathernecks entered 2022 with a young roster. During Western Illinois' game on August 25^th against Central Methodist, 11 newcomers saw the field as a Leatherneck for the first time. This includes Marco Presta, who played the full 90 minutes. Along with these newcomers, Western Illinois is returning senior defender Kyle Owen who owns a pair of all-league honors in his career.
All-Time Record: The 'Dons are 4-12-2 all-time against Western Illinois, with a 3-5 record at home. The most recent match against the two teams ended with a 2-0 victory for the 'Dons in September of 2021.

Game Day Information
Who: Eastern Illinois (0-1-1)
When: Sunday, September 4 | 3 p.m. ET
Where: Fort Wayne, Ind. | Hefner Soccer Complex
Video: ESPN+
Live Stats: Link
About The Panthers: The Eastern Illinois Panthers have started the season 0-1-1 with a loss to Horizon League member Green Bay, as well as a tie with Xavier. Freshman Chad Smith started the season off strong as the goalkeeper for the Panthers with four saves in the first half of the game to keep the opposing Xavier Musketeers scoreless. The Panthers are scheduled to take on another Horizon League opponent, the IUPUI Jaguars, on September second before coming to Fort Wayne to take on the Mastodons September 4th.
All-Time Record: The 'Dons are 7-12-0 all-time against Eastern Illinois with no ties recorded between the two programs. The last 10 matchups between the 'Dons and Eastern Illinois have been split down the middle with the 'Dons recording a 5-5-0 record. In all 19 matchups, the 'Dons have recorded 1.53 goals a game.

Familiar Foe!
The 'Dons were long time rivals of both the Western Illinois Leathernecks and the Eastern Illinois Panthers in the Summit League. The 'Dons made the switch to the Horizon League in 2020-21.

Family Ties
Western Illinois head coach Dr. Eric Johnson is the father of Mastodon assistant coach Kooten Johnson.

Hello Newbies
The 2022 Mastodon roster hosts 14 newcomers. During the recent matchups against Lipscomb and Belmont, five freshman put up minutes for the Mastodons, including Marco Valencia, Eliam Mier, Christian Leon, Stefan Iricanin and Abe Arellano.

Déjà vu
Keith Larson returns for the Mastodons this season. Last year he scored the game's only goal in the Mastodons' 1-0 win over Eastern Illinois.

Three 'Dons on the Board
Moses Akimana, Cesar Cosio and Keith Larson each have a goal and assist on the season this year for the 'Dons. Cosio will be playing his former teammates on Friday. The Western Illinois transfer earned his undergraduate degree from WIU before joining the 'Dons this season.

Up Next
The Mastodons open league play Sept. 10 vs. Oakland in a contest at the Hefner Soccer Complex.

~ Feel The Rumble ~

Purdue University Fort Wayne Athletics

Players Mentioned

Moses Akimana

Abe Arellano

Cesar Cosio

Stefan Iricanin

Keith Larson

Christian Leon

Eliam Mier

Marco Valencia

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