Daniel Lewis Assistant Coach | Western Illinois University Leathernecks Website
Daniel Lewis Assistant Coach | Western Illinois University Leathernecks Website
Western Illinois men's soccer team traveled to Butler for their second match of the 2024 season on Sunday evening. The Leathernecks demonstrated significant improvement from their opener against Grand Canyon, securing a draw despite playing the last 19 minutes with ten men.
The first half began slowly, with neither team creating substantial chances early on. Freshman winger Tyler Philpott made two effective slide tackles around the fifth minute, dispossessing Butler defenders. In the eighth minute, Oscar Olingdahl sent a pass to Xavier Gagnon in the final third, but Gagnon was flagged offside.
Philpott had his first shot saved shortly after. Butler also had opportunities in the first half, including a shot over the bar in the 25th minute and earning a corner in the 27th. Western Illinois made substitutions in the 33rd minute, bringing on Diego Porras and Liam Gainey, who quickly impacted play. Porras created a chance by dribbling past his defender but found Gainey just offside.
Butler's best scoring opportunity came in the 34th minute when they fired a shot that Leatherneck keeper Micah Ramirez saved to keep the score level. The teams went into halftime tied nil-nil.
Early in the second half, Philpott's attempt was saved by Butler's keeper. Rising tensions led to three yellow cards being issued within 13 minutes of the second half.
Philpott broke away on a free kick near midfield and passed to forward Liam Gainey, who scored into the right corner of the net at one nil.
Gainey's goal provided temporary comfort until Ryan Wrobleski's handball in the box resulted in his second yellow card and gave Butler a penalty kick. Micah Ramirez made two crucial saves to deny Butler an equalizer initially.
Butler eventually equalized in the 77th minute. Despite being down to ten men, Western Illinois fought hard to maintain a one-one draw until full time. Several key clearances late in the match helped secure this result.
Western Illinois concludes their opening three-game road trip on Thursday against Bradley on August 29th.
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