MACOMB, Ill.— In celebration of the upcoming 50th Anniversary celebration of the Western Illinois men’s soccer program on Oct. 6-7, as well as the anticipated announcement of the second 25-year team, the Leathernecks’ athletics department looks back on the former student-athletes and their accomplishments from 1967-1992.The list of first-teamers includes three Leatherneck Athletics Hall of Famers, a conference ‘Player of the Year’ and two All-Conference recipients.
Ted Eck, who played for the Leathernecks from 1984-88, earned conference ‘Player of the Year’ in 1987 and was a three-time All-Conference recipient. For an individual season, he ranks fourth all-time in goals (15; 1987), tied for fifth in assists (35; 1987) and tied for sixth in assists (eight; 1986). Eck is also the third all-time for career scoring in program history with 87 total points during his four years with the Purple and Gold.
To this day, John Maciel (1974-77), is still the all-time career scoring leader in program history with 113 total points off 47 goals and 19 assists. His 47 goals are also the most for an individual career in program history. For an individual season, Maciel ranks fourth and 10th all time in points with 36 (1975) and 32 (1977). He is also tied for sixth all-time with eight assists in a season (1975).
During his tenure with the Leathernecks, Tony Christie (1978-81) moved into second all-time in program history for career scoring with 89 points off 38 goals and 13 assists. Christie’s 14 goals during the 1980 season ranks him tied for fifth all-time, and his 12 scores during the 1979 season rank him 10th. For individual points for a season, Christie accumulated 34 points in 1980 (tied for seventh).
As a midfielder in 1981, Noel Smith’s 17 goals for a season are still the most in program history, and his 40 points during that year are second all-time. For his career, Smith’s 63 points (26 goals, 11 assists) are tied for 10th all-time.
During his playing days from 1984-87, Tom Soehn recorded 19 goals, 18 assists and 51 points, ranking as one of the Leathernecks’ all-time leading scorers. He also twice earned all-conference honors. He is also a member of the Leatherneck Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2003.
Kim Perez (1974, third all-time in single-season assists with nine), joins ‘First Team’ All-Leatherneck backline with Sean McManus (1973-75), Tony Segobiano (1983-86) and Smith (1979-82). In net, 2012 Leatherneck Athletics Hall of Famer David Dir rounds out the ‘First Team’ after tying a program record with six shutouts in goal during his senior year. Although individual goalie statistics would not start for another two years, Dir would certainly rank among one of the best goalies in Leatherneck history.
The 50th Anniversary Celebration begins Friday, Oct. 6 with the alumni social, which starts at 7 p.m. at Sports Corner @ 124 (complementary appetizers and refreshments). Festivities continue the next day (Oct. 7), when the Leathernecks play host to Lincoln Land College at 1 p.m. at John McKenzie Alumni Field.
At 3 p.m. on Oct. 7, the program will feature an alumni match of the odd graduation years versus the even years. The alumni match is followed by dinner at the University Union LaMoine Room. The cost of attendance and dinner is $25.
Attendees will also hear from coaches John MacKenzie and Eric Johnson, and the program will also announce the second 25th Anniversary Team, which consists of former players from 1993-2017. Former players are encouraged to nominate their former teammates, and a committee will make selections for the First and Second Teams, along with Honorable Mentions.
For information about registration, please visit LeatherneckTickets.com.
FIRST TEAM ALL-LEATHERNECKS:
Defenders:
Kim Perez (1973-75)
Sean McManus (1974-75)
Tony Segobiano (1983-86)
Barry Grote (1983-86)
Midfielders:
Tom Soehn (1984-87) (HOF 2003)
Ray Taylor (1971-72)
Noel Smith (1979-82)
Forwards:
Ted Eck (1984-88) (HOF 2001)
Tony Christie (1978-81)
John Maciel (1974-77)
Goal:
David Dir (1979-81) (HOF 2012)
