Boxscore
A closely played first half turned into all University of Evansville in the second half Friday night, and the result was the fifth straight victory for the Purple Aces' men's soccer team, 4-2 over visiting Western Illinois.
It was the third time in coach Mike Jacobs' four seasons that UE has won five consecutive matches. They'll go for their first six-match winning streak since 1996 on Wednesday when they begin Missouri Valley Conference play at Eastern Illinois.
Tom Irvin put Evansville (6-2-0) ahead 1-0 at 23:52 with a blast from 12 yards set up by Robby Lynch's assist. Martin Browne, Jr. countered for the Leathernecks (1-5-0) at 35:08 following a scramble in front of the net. Tad Kreamalmeyer broke the tie for Evansville at 38:49 when he broke free and scored from five yards out, but Browne sent Western Illinois into halftime with a 2-2 tie when he scored his second goal of the half and fourth of the season in the 43rd minute.
Evansville dominated the second half, however, scoring both goals and outshooting Western Illinois 16-5. Lynch's header provided the game-winner at 52:35, set up by Blake Schneider's free kick from 35 yards. Defender Jarrett Robbins put in the insurance goal at 77:47 with a 12-yard rocket, with Irvin on the assist.
Evansville finished with 25 shots, nine on goal, compared to 12 and three for the Leathernecks.
