Western Illinois closes its regular-season road schedule Saturday at UT Rio Grande Valley, looking to rebound from a 1-0 loss to Incarnate Word. The Leathernecks created chances in that defeat but must finish more effectively against a Vaqueros side coming off a 2-2 draw with Houston Christian.

By the Numbers
  • Kickoff: Saturday, Oct. 24, at 6:30 p.m. CT.
  • UTRGV outshot Houston Christian, 16-9.
  • Vaqueros forward Elias Taj leads the team with 5 goals and 12 points; Sammy Jadid has 3 goals.
  • UTRGV goalkeeper Conrad Knight made 4 saves in the draw.
Yes, But

Western Illinois showed it can generate scoring opportunities, including a shot off the crossbar, but failed to convert. UTRGV has shown offensive potential, though it also gave up a late equalizer in its latest match.

State of Play
  • Western Illinois is continuing Ohio Valley Conference play and seeking a response after its loss.
  • The match is UTRGV’s Senior Day and will be played in Edinburg, Texas.
What's Next

The teams meet Saturday at the UTRGV Soccer and Track & Field Complex. Western Illinois’ priorities are tightening up defensively and turning chances into goals.

Bottom Line

The Leathernecks’ path to a road win hinges on finishing: they’ll need to convert the opportunities they create against a UTRGV team led by Taj’s five-goal scoring output.