West Central Reporter

Western Illinois University's women's soccer team is set to face St. Thomas and Drake in upcoming matches. The Leathernecks will play against St. Thomas on Friday, September 13 at 4 PM at South Field in St. Paul, Minnesota, followed by a match against Drake on Sunday, September 15 at 1 PM at Mediacom Stadium in Des Moines, Iowa.

St. Thomas currently holds a record of 3-3-1 for the season. They have won three of their last four matches, including victories over Marist and Siena during a two-match road trip to New York. Their recent performance includes a close loss to Northern Iowa and a decisive win against Viterbo with a score of six-nil. Lexi Huber has been a standout player for the Tommies, scoring five of the team's 14 goals this season.

Drake enters Sunday's match without a win but has managed to avoid losing any game by more than two goals this season. The Bulldogs have drawn with Iowa State, St. Thomas, and South Dakota State, all ending in one-all ties. Despite losses to Kansas, Butler, Omaha, and South Dakota, six different players have contributed to Drake's eight goals this season.

Western Illinois has struggled so far this season with an 0-5 record. Their recent matches include losses to Iowa State, Northern Iowa, South Dakota State, Green Bay, and Illinois State. In their latest game against Illinois State on Sunday, they narrowly lost one-nil.

The Leathernecks return 23 players from their 2023 squad. Notable returners include Isabel Navas Rodriguez from Madrid, Spain; Sydnee Sagal from Oconomowoc, WI; Hana Daoudi; and Alanna Pennington who led the team as a freshman last year.

Senior Kayla Turner has been highlighted as Western Illinois' Player to Watch this season. Turner has shown resilience throughout her college career despite missing most of her sophomore year due to injury.

Seven newcomers join the Leathernecks this season aiming to make an impact under Coach Josee Primeau's guidance. Among them are junior transfer forwards Callie McMurtrey from Jefferson College; Autumn Wilson from Cody WY; and Landry McCoid from Iowa Central CC who scored 35 goals last season.

For further updates on Western Illinois Women's Soccer, fans can visit GoLeathernecks.com or follow the team on social media platforms X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and Facebook.