West Central Reporter

The Western Illinois University (WIU) men's soccer team faced a setback in their recent home match against Incarnate Word, losing 2-0. The Leathernecks conceded both goals late in the second half, with the Cardinals scoring at the 82nd and 85th minutes.

During the first half, Incarnate Word had a slight edge over WIU, out-shooting them 4-3 and winning more corners with a count of 4-2. Despite these statistics, the match remained scoreless at halftime. WIU also received three yellow cards during this period.

In the second half, Incarnate Word increased their offensive pressure, out-shooting WIU 11-5. The Cardinals broke the deadlock in the 82nd minute with a goal from a free kick following a foul by WIU. Shortly after, they secured their victory with another goal from a penalty kick after an infraction occurred inside the box. The Cardinals maintained their lead for the remaining five minutes to seal their win.

With only one game left in the regular season, WIU is in urgent need of a victory to secure qualification for the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) tournament in Edwardsville. They will conclude their regular season at home on Sunday afternoon against Houston Christian, with kickoff scheduled for 1 p.m.

For ongoing updates on Leatherneck Soccer, fans are encouraged to visit GoLeathernecks.com or follow them on social media platforms X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and Facebook.