GREEN BAY, Wis. – One goal was all it took on a sun-splashed Sunday afternoon at Aldo Santaga Stadium, as the Green Bay men's soccer team defeated Western Illinois 1-0.
The Phoenix improved to 1-1-0 on the season, while the Fighting Leathernecks fell to 0-2-0.
HOW IT HAPPENED
GB was firing on all cylinders to start the contest, racking up four shots in the first 11:17. All four shots were tallied by different Phoenix, including Jake Parish, Josh Johansen, So Nishikawa, and Chris Album.
After WIU notched their first shot of the match at 13:34, Green Bay responded just a few minutes later when Keegan Walker found the back of the net. He was set up beautifully on passes from Luca Contestabile and Parish. Walker's goal was the fourth of his career and first of the season. Western Illinois slowed down the GB offense for the final 28 minutes of the frame, allowing just three shots. Green Bay's defense was even stingier, surrendering just three shots in the entire half, giving the Phoenix a 1-0 advantage heading into halftime.
Both teams started the second half slow on offense. The first shot of the half didn't come until the 59th minute when the Leathernecks' Xavier Gagnon tallied a shot before firing home again moments later, forcing a Tobias Jahn save. Josh Johansen countered with a shot five minutes later but it sailed wide right.
Each team had limited opportunities, and Western Illinois' last attempt was in the 88th minute when Diego Porras tried to head a shot past Jahn, but Jahn was able to corral the ball. Walker's early brace was the difference-maker in a 1-0 shutout of the Leathernecks.
GAME NOTES
- WIU had just one less shot overall than GB but had half of the shots on goal (three compared to GB's six).
- Jahn recorded three saves, all in the second half.
- Seven yellow cards were drawn, including four on Green Bay.
- The Leathernecks had five corner kicks compared to Green Bay's three.
COMING UP
Green Bay will conclude their season-opening three-game homestand this Friday afternoon against Southern Indiana. Fans are encouraged to wear Green and White in conjunction with National College Colors Day.
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