WOU MEN'S SOCCER (4-1-1)
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SCHEDULE
THURSDAY
vs. Western Washington (2-2-2), Noon
Monmouth, OR

SATURDAY
at MSU Billings (1-2-3), 5 p.m. (PT)
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THE WOLVES HEADING INTO THE WEEK
The Western Oregon men's soccer team didn't play last week so it's unbeaten streak remains at five (4-0-1) - helping it achieve its first national ranking in the program's three-year history this week at No. 25.

THE OPPONENTS HEADING INTO THE WEEK
Western Washington also didn't play last week and this season have been entangled in close, low-scoring matches. The Vikings at 2-2-2 have a 1-0 win over No. 18 Chico State at home to start the season and a 1-0 loss at home to No. 3 Cal State LA to go along with a pair of ties and a pair of 1-0 losses. The Vikings have been shutout three times this season, but have two shutouts of its own and haven't allowed more than one goal in a game.

Like WWU and WOU, MSU Billings didn't play last week - but in its last match played a 2-2 draw at No. 9 Fort Lewis on Sept. 21 in Durango, Colorado. It's been feast or famine for the Yellowjackets as they've scored multiple goals in a game three times this season and been shut out the other two times and the same goes for goals allowed - allowing multiple goals three times and picking up a pair of shutouts.
 
SERIES HISTORY
Western Washington
ALL-TIME: 1-2-1
STREAK: Tie 1
LAST WIN: Oct. 12, 2023 - 2-1 in Monmouth
LAST LOSS: Oct. 13, 2022 - 1-0 in Monmouth
LAST DRAW: Oct. 26, 2023 - 2-2 in Bellingham
 
MSU Billings
ALL-TIME: 2-1-1
STREAK: Won 2
LAST WIN: Nov. 2, 2023 - 2-1 in Monmouth
LAST LOSS: Oct. 29, 2022 - 5-1 in Billings
LAST DRAW: Oct. 8, 2022 - 2-2 in Monmouth 
 
NOTES
Divano named GNAC Offensive Player of the Week (Sept. 23)
Western Oregon's Michael Divano was named the GNAC Men's Soccer Offensive Player of the Week on Sept. 23 after a breakout week for the freshman. Divano scored three goals (on just five shots) in helping WOU go 2-0-1 on the week and move the Wolves' unbeaten streak to five. Divano scored the first goal of the game in a 2-0 win at home over Hawaii Hilo on Monday, Sept. 16, - a Vulcans team that is now nationally ranked. In WOU's 3-1 win over Newman on Sunday, Divano had his first collegiate multi-goal game - scoring two goals in the first 16 minutes of the match to propel WOU to victory.

Ocampo Navarro named GNAC Offensive Player of the Week (Sept. 16)
Western Oregon sophomore Yahir Ocampo Navarro was named the GNAC Men's Soccer Offensive Player of the Week on Sept. 16 after scoring two goals in helping the Wolves defeat Azusa Pacific on the road 3-2 on Sept 12. Both goals for Ocampo Navarro, an All-GNAC First Teamer and all-region player as a freshman last season, came via penalty kicks and in the second half - including the game-winner in the 73rd minute. It is Ocampo Navarro's first multi-goal game of his young collegiate career.

Taking care of business at home under Behonick
With Monday's home-opening victory over Hawai'i Hilo - the Wolves are now 6-0-2 at home under second-year head coach Michael Behonick in Monmouth. WOU has outscored its opponents 16-7 in those eight matches. As of Wednesday, it's been 685 days since the Wolves last lost a home match (Nov. 3, 2022).

Villalobos becomes first WOU player to score goal in all three seasons
WOU junior Abraham Villalobos made a little history with his goal against Jessup (CA) on Sept. 7 as he became the first player to score a goal in three different seasons for the three-year-old Wolves program. The Salem now has five career goals (fourth on the all-time list) and 14 career points (also fourth on the WOU all-time list).

Wolves picked second in GNAC Preseason Coaches Poll
The Western Oregon men's soccer team picked up a pair of first-place votes and was voted to finish second in the GNAC Men's Soccer Preseason Poll. The Wolves - entering year three as a program - snagged two of the five first-place votes and finished with 41 points - two points behind Simon Fraser (which collected the other five first-place votes). Seattle Pacific and Western Washington tied for third with 32 points followed by Northwest Nazarene (25), Montana State Billings (13) and Saint Martin's (10).

The Wolves went from a 2-13-2 team (1-10-1 in conference) in their first season in 2022 to 11-3-3 overall and 8-1-3 in GNAC play last season in head coach Michael Behonick's first season at the helm. WOU finished just short of a GNAC title as with games in the conference canceled due to inclement weather, the standings came down to points per match. WOU finished at 2.25 points per match with its 8-1-3 conference record, .02 points behind Simon Fraser's 2.27 with a 8-2-1 record.