VALPARAISO, Ind. - The Western Illinois men's soccer team struck early for the second straight game in a 1-0 non-conference victory over Valparaiso at Brown Field on Sunday afternoon.
Sophomore Mario Alvarez scored his first goal of the year and Charlie Bales added an assist to help the Fighting Leathernecks improve to 2-2 on the season, while the Crusaders move to 1-1-1.
After scoring 65 seconds into the game against DePaul, Western Illinois got on the board less than seven minutes into the Sunday's game. This time, the reigning Summit League Defensive Player of the Year Charlie Bales lobbed a long ball into the box. The Valparaiso keeper came out to get it, but Alvarez beat him to it and headed it over his head and into the net for his first goal of the season.
Sophomore Yves Dietrich picked up his first career shutout, saving both shots on goal he faced.
"Dietrich deserved the shutout, he did everything he had to do," head coach Dr. Eric Johnson said. "Valpo was very good and really connected well and made us work hard. Our back line played really well again today."
The Crusaders took 14 shots compared to just four for the Leathernecks, but Western Illinois put more on goal (three) than Valparaiso (two).
Kyle Zobeck took the loss in net, allowing one goal and making two saves.
The Leathernecks will return to action on Saturday when they travel to Milwaukee to take on Marquette, their second BIG EAST opponent in less than two weeks, in a 7:05 p.m. non-conference game.
