Sport in world

Leathernecks prepare for two weekend games

October 14, 2007 on 10:10 pm | In Athletics |

MACOMB, Ill. Summit League play continues Saturday at UMKC for the Western Illinois men’s soccer team, while Sunday features a home contest with NAIA National Champion Graceland.

The Leathernecks (4-6-2/0-1-0) concludes a three-game road trip with their matchup at UMKC. Last weekend Western tied No. 10 Creighton (1-1) and dropped a 1-0 decision to Northern Illinois. In the Creighton match, freshman Kevin Hinds (Charleston, Ill./Charleston) recorded his first career goal. Junior goalkeeper Charlie Sales (Springfield, Ill./Sacred Heart Griffin) logged all 110 minutes in goal, giving up the only score for Creighton on a penalty kick. He currently leads The Summit League in goals against average (0.96) and save percentage (.839).

UMKC
The Kangaroos (5-5-1/1-1-0) are coming off a 4-1 loss at IUPUI last weekend. Bryan Perez leads the team in goals with four on the season. UMKC ranks second in conference in goals per game (1.27) and saves per game (4.55). Currently they sit in third place in The Summit League after being picked fifth in the preseason poll.

Last season Western defeated UMKC twice. The first victory came September 16, with a 1-0 decision in Macomb. The two teams met in the Mid-Continent Conference Championship game, which the Leathernecks won 2-0.

Graceland
The Yellowjackets (12-0-1) come in with a near perfect mark on the season. The lone blemish on their record came in a 1-1 tie to Grandview College on August 29. Since then, they have rattled off 12-straight victories. This is their lone matchup with a Division-I opponent.

Graceland comes in as the defending NAIA National Champion, as they finished the season with a record of 22-4-2. Nine starters and 16 letterwinners are back this season from that squad.

Sunday’s match with Graceland is set to start at 1 p.m. at John MacKenzie Alumni Field.
Originaly from Source