University of St. Thomas Athletics
Saturday, October 7
Macomb, Ill. / John MacKenzie Alumni Field
1:00 p.m. Central
at
Western Illinois
Photo by: Jason Morales Ortiz
Men’s Soccer back on the road for Saturday, Tuesday matches
10/6/2023 10:38:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Watch (Western Illinois)Live Stats (Western Illinois)Watch (Drake)Live Stats (Drake)Game Notes (PDF)
Tommies are set to face Western Illinois, Drake for two-game road trip
St. Paul, Minn. -- St. Thomas Men's Soccer (2-4-2) starts a two game road trip after a long homestand. The Tommies are set to face Western Illinois on Saturday, Oct 7th and Drake on Tuesday, Oct 10th.
The Tommie and Western Illinois match-up is the third time these two teams have met, with Western Illinois taking both games. In their first season of DI, the Tommies scored first, but Western Illinois came from behind to win 2-1.
The Tommie and Drake non-conference match-up is the second time these teams have faced each other. In 2021, Drake defeated the Tommies 1-0 in St. Paul – it was the Purple's first home game in the Division I era.
If you are unable to make the trip on Saturday or Tuesday, be sure to follow along for live streams and stats through links found at tommiesports.com/sports/msoc/schedule – and on Twitter and Instagram at @TommieMSoccer.
Homestand
The Tommies are coming off a four game homestand where they went 2-1-1 with wins over Milwaukee, 1-0, and Chicago State, 2-1. The Tommie fell just short to previously ranked No. 19 Denver 2-0, and earned a 1-1 draw to Kansas City.
The Tommies had a come from behind victory against Chicago State where they scored the tying goal in the 50th minute and the game winning goal with just three minutes left in the match. Tommies are looking to keep that momentum going into the two-game road trip.
Kansas City Recap
It was a quiet start to the game for both teams, with the only one shot on goal in the first twenty minutes of play, coming from the Tommies. The Roos offense opened scoring midway through the first half, taking the lead 1-0.
Second half action started off strong with continued pressure from the Tommies. At the midpoint of second half, Dennis Mensah, Jr. scored the equalizer off a free kick with the assist coming from Gunnar Busch.
Both teams continued to battle, with pressure going back and forth for the rest of the game. The Tommies created two more offensive opportunities, but were unable to capitalize and the match ended in a 1-1 draw.
Milwaukee Recap
It was a competitive start to the match, with the first half ending scoreless for both teams. Late in the first half, the Panthers had an opportunity to take the lead with a penalty kick. But, freshman goalkeeper, Moritz Krenc, stepped up and made a kick save to keep the game tied at 0-0.
Second half action started off with momentum for the Tommies, with a goal coming from Jorge Pacheco in the first three minutes of the second half. The goal was the sophomore's first of his career. The ultimately game-winning goal came from a shot off the cross bar that came right to Pacheco who headed it in.
Goalkeeper, Moritz Krenc, earned his first shutout and first collegiate win with a victory on South Field. Which help the Tommies win 1-0.
Graduate Student Spotlight
Graduate students Isaac Eckroth and Wes Lorrens have been key players for the Tommies since they began their journey at St. Thomas.
Defender, Wes Lorrens, transferred to St. Thomas and has played 41 games, recorded three goals and one assist, and totaling 2918 minutes with the Tommies.
Defender, Isaac Eckroth, has played his five seasons with the Tommies, competing in 57 games, tallying one goal and five assists in 4350 minutes played. Isaac leads the Tommies with minutes played in the DI-era, followed by Wes.
Goalkeeper Duo
Senior goalkeeper, Tucker Mann, has played three games in net for the Tommies, posting a 1-1-1 record during the 2023 season. Mann has played 291 minutes and posted a 1.55 GAA so far on the season.
His younger partner freshman goalkeeper, Moritz Krenc, has played five games in net for the Tommies, posting a 1-3-1 record during the 2023 season. Krenc has played 428 minutes and posted a 2.73 GAA so far this season.
Combined the duo has posted a 2.25 GAA so far this season and one clean sheet for the Tommies.
Scouting the Leatherbacks
Western Illinois (1-8-1, 0-2-0 Summit League) is led by Head Coach Dr. Ryan Johnson in his 26th season. Coach Johnson is the all-time winningest coach in summit league history. The Leatherbacks finished the 2022 season with an overall record of 2-8-7.
The Leatherbacks are coming off a 0-3 loss to Omaha. The Leatherbacks had an eight shots in the game while only allowing four, but gave up two penalty kicks, which Omaha scored on both.
Freshman, Xavier Gagnon (two goals), and freshamn, Diego Porras, currently lead the Leatherbacks offensively with three goals combined in ten games played.
Scouting the Bulldogs
Drake (2-6-1, 1-2 The Valley) is led by Head Coach Pat Flinn in his second season. The Bulldogs finished the 2022 season with an overall record of 7-4-4.
Grad Student, AJ Franklin currently leads Drake with 11 points this season, scoring five goals and tallying one assist..
The Bulldogs are coming off a 1-2 loss at Belmont where they scored first in the 65th minute, but Belmont scored twice in the last 10 minutes to take the lead and ultimately win the game.
The Tommie and Western Illinois match-up is the third time these two teams have met, with Western Illinois taking both games. In their first season of DI, the Tommies scored first, but Western Illinois came from behind to win 2-1.
The Tommie and Drake non-conference match-up is the second time these teams have faced each other. In 2021, Drake defeated the Tommies 1-0 in St. Paul – it was the Purple's first home game in the Division I era.
If you are unable to make the trip on Saturday or Tuesday, be sure to follow along for live streams and stats through links found at tommiesports.com/sports/msoc/schedule – and on Twitter and Instagram at @TommieMSoccer.
Homestand
The Tommies are coming off a four game homestand where they went 2-1-1 with wins over Milwaukee, 1-0, and Chicago State, 2-1. The Tommie fell just short to previously ranked No. 19 Denver 2-0, and earned a 1-1 draw to Kansas City.
The Tommies had a come from behind victory against Chicago State where they scored the tying goal in the 50th minute and the game winning goal with just three minutes left in the match. Tommies are looking to keep that momentum going into the two-game road trip.
Kansas City Recap
It was a quiet start to the game for both teams, with the only one shot on goal in the first twenty minutes of play, coming from the Tommies. The Roos offense opened scoring midway through the first half, taking the lead 1-0.
Second half action started off strong with continued pressure from the Tommies. At the midpoint of second half, Dennis Mensah, Jr. scored the equalizer off a free kick with the assist coming from Gunnar Busch.
Both teams continued to battle, with pressure going back and forth for the rest of the game. The Tommies created two more offensive opportunities, but were unable to capitalize and the match ended in a 1-1 draw.
Milwaukee Recap
It was a competitive start to the match, with the first half ending scoreless for both teams. Late in the first half, the Panthers had an opportunity to take the lead with a penalty kick. But, freshman goalkeeper, Moritz Krenc, stepped up and made a kick save to keep the game tied at 0-0.
Second half action started off with momentum for the Tommies, with a goal coming from Jorge Pacheco in the first three minutes of the second half. The goal was the sophomore's first of his career. The ultimately game-winning goal came from a shot off the cross bar that came right to Pacheco who headed it in.
Goalkeeper, Moritz Krenc, earned his first shutout and first collegiate win with a victory on South Field. Which help the Tommies win 1-0.
Graduate Student Spotlight
Graduate students Isaac Eckroth and Wes Lorrens have been key players for the Tommies since they began their journey at St. Thomas.
Defender, Wes Lorrens, transferred to St. Thomas and has played 41 games, recorded three goals and one assist, and totaling 2918 minutes with the Tommies.
Defender, Isaac Eckroth, has played his five seasons with the Tommies, competing in 57 games, tallying one goal and five assists in 4350 minutes played. Isaac leads the Tommies with minutes played in the DI-era, followed by Wes.
Goalkeeper Duo
Senior goalkeeper, Tucker Mann, has played three games in net for the Tommies, posting a 1-1-1 record during the 2023 season. Mann has played 291 minutes and posted a 1.55 GAA so far on the season.
His younger partner freshman goalkeeper, Moritz Krenc, has played five games in net for the Tommies, posting a 1-3-1 record during the 2023 season. Krenc has played 428 minutes and posted a 2.73 GAA so far this season.
Combined the duo has posted a 2.25 GAA so far this season and one clean sheet for the Tommies.
Scouting the Leatherbacks
Western Illinois (1-8-1, 0-2-0 Summit League) is led by Head Coach Dr. Ryan Johnson in his 26th season. Coach Johnson is the all-time winningest coach in summit league history. The Leatherbacks finished the 2022 season with an overall record of 2-8-7.
The Leatherbacks are coming off a 0-3 loss to Omaha. The Leatherbacks had an eight shots in the game while only allowing four, but gave up two penalty kicks, which Omaha scored on both.
Freshman, Xavier Gagnon (two goals), and freshamn, Diego Porras, currently lead the Leatherbacks offensively with three goals combined in ten games played.
Scouting the Bulldogs
Drake (2-6-1, 1-2 The Valley) is led by Head Coach Pat Flinn in his second season. The Bulldogs finished the 2022 season with an overall record of 7-4-4.
Grad Student, AJ Franklin currently leads Drake with 11 points this season, scoring five goals and tallying one assist..
The Bulldogs are coming off a 1-2 loss at Belmont where they scored first in the 65th minute, but Belmont scored twice in the last 10 minutes to take the lead and ultimately win the game.
Players Mentioned
MF
/ Men's Soccer
D
/ Men's Soccer
GK
/ Men's Soccer
D
/ Men's Soccer
GK
/ Men's Soccer
F
/ Men's Soccer
MF
/ Men's SoccerMen's Soccer
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