MACOMB, Ill.
(GreenBayPhoenix.com) - The Green Bay (10-4-1, 4-2-0 HL) men's soccer
winning streak extends to six games as it earned its second consecutive
shutout, beating Western Illinois (3-7-6, 1-2-2) 2-0 Tuesday afternoon in a
non-conference match up.
With winds gusting from 33-43 mph diagonally across the
field, it came as no surprise the first half was scoreless with a total of 16
shots fired. Green Bay outshot the Leathernecks 10-6 with five on goal, while Ryan
Wehking (St. Louis, Mo.) made two saves for the Phoenix in the half.
"With us being against the wind in the first half, I was
really proud of our player's efforts to keep them scoreless," said head coach Tom
Poitras.
Green Bay did score two goals in the first five minutes of
play but both were nullified with offsides penalties.
After a few adjustments at halftime and the wind at Green
Bay's back, JC Banks (Milwaukee, Wis.) scored an unassisted goal in the 57th
minute to put the Phoenix on the board 1-0. Banks beat his defender inside the
box and laid the ball in the left side of the net for the score.
In the 74th minute, Wehking punted the ball down field to David
Bernhardsson (Tjorn, Sweden). Bernhardsson found Banks in the box who chipped
the ball over the keeper's head for his 12th goal of the season. The assist was
Wehking's first of his career and Bernhardsson's second.
Banks has scored nine goals during Green Bay's six-game
winning streak. "JC is doing a good job with his timing," said Poitras. "He
finds the right time to get to spots where defenders pick him up late."
Green Bay outshot the Leathernecks 25-8 with 11 shots on
goal in the contest. Banks led all players with eight shots, five on goal, as
Bernhardsson and Anthony Santaga (Green Bay, Wis.) each added four.
"Today's win definitely helps us stay focused heading into
the last two games. We're really pleased with the two consecutive shutouts,"
said Poitras.
Currently sitting in second place in the Horizon League
standings, the Phoenix will finish its regular season at home with a pair of league
games. Green Bay will host Loyola (3-9-2, 3-2-1 HL), Saturday, Oct. 30 at 7
p.m. Wright State (4-9-1, 0-5-1 HL) will conclude Green Bay's season at Aldo
Santaga Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 6 at 2 p.m.