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Fraser Colmer
Radford Athletics Communications

Men's Soccer

RADFORD FACES WESTERN ILLINOIS FRIDAY AT HPU

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LIVE STATS • The string of tough opponents away from home continues Friday for the Radford men's soccer team, however, this time in a neutral site matchup with Western Illinois. The Highlanders and Leathernecks will kick off at 4:00 p.m. in High Point, N.C. as the first game of the High Point Plaza Classic hosted by High Point University. HPU and Incarnate Word will play the night cap on Friday following the RU / WIU game.

RU will also face Incarnate Word on Sunday as part of the classic. Head coach Marc Reeves spoke about the matchups heading into both games, "These are two tough opponents similar to ourselves who have started with strong schedules and played in tight games. We have used the week well so far and will continue to put a great deal of preparation into both games to maximize our chances to perform well at the tournament. We are thankful to High Point soccer and the facilities staff at HPU, who always do a first class job with this tournament. The key for us is ensuring we prepare well for not only our opponents but ensure our energy and excitement is ready for the neutral site environment and different kickoff times, this being very different from our first three games that were home openers at NCAA tournament teams."

The Highlanders are 7-3-2 all-time in neutral site games under Reeves, including a 5-1-1 mark in neutral games played at High Point.
 
Radford is looking to keep the momentum from a 1-0 victory Saturday at East Tennessee State, while Western Illinois has been shut out 1-0 in each of its last two matches vs. Green Bay and No. 8 Creighton. The Leathernecks (1-3) defeated San Jose State and lost to UNLV in their other contests. RU has yet to play a home game with one-goal losses at Clemson and No. 23 Charlotte.9239
SCOUTING THE LEATHERNECKS
Armle Kouassi has scored both goals on the season for the Leathernecks. Western Illiinois went to back-to-back NCAA Tournaments in 2011 and 2012 after winning the Summit League championship. WIU fell in last year's conference title game to Denver to just miss making a third straight postseason trip.

THE HIGHLANDERS
Aitor Pouseu Blanco recorded his first career victory and shutout with the 1-0 road win at ETSU. The back line defense was stellar in keeping the Buccaneers from mounting much offensive effort. RU held ETSU to just two shots on goal. Jamie Summers tallied his first goal of the season and the first game-winning goal of his career in the victory. Chel Ho Park Kim added his first assist of the season, which was the 14th of his career. With another assist, Park Kim will move into a tie for seventh all-time in the career record book at RU.

Reeves said this on his team's preparation for the upcoming week, "We are pleased with the week so far but Friday 4pm and Sunday noon is what matters for our group to keep pushing forward."
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