KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — For the third time in program history the Western Michigan men’s soccer team has defeated Michigan State, blanking the Spartans, 2-0, at a packed WMU Soccer Complex on Wednesday afternoon.
The Broncos (4-4-4) dominated the chances with eight total shots, including four on goal. MSU was limited to just three total shots and none on goal. Farai Mutatu, the Big Ten’s leading scorer, was held to zero shots in the game by WMU’s center back pairing of Aidan O’Connor and Daniel Nimick. Junior goalkeeper Issac Walker earned the shutout without needing to make a save.
“Overall, I don’t think we could have played a better match,” said head coach Chad Wiseman. “We were very strong on the ball, fought hard in our 50-50’s, rock-solid defensively and followed the game plan. That was a performance we should be very proud of.”
The Broncos struck early to take the lead with some route one soccer. Walker played it out of his box into the midfield and Dylan sing flicked it on to Sharp. Sharp took it into the left-side of the box and used his right foot to place it into the corner of the net, just past the outstretched arms of MSU goalie Hunter Morse for his third goal of the season. Sing and Walker both tallied their first assists of the season as Western Michigan took a 1-0 lead in the 12th minute.
WMU kept up the pressure in the second half and added to its lead on a goal by Creek in the 55th minute. Gavin Wigg played the ball into the box from the left side just in front of the Bronco bench. Mike Melaragni rose above to win a challenge for the ball against the MSU goalkeeper and headed it toward the net. Creek sprinted to the ball and headed it into the net for his first of the season.
With the 2-0 lead the Broncos shut down any chance at a Spartan comeback.
“Our program has a lot of respect for Michigan State,” Wiseman added. “They have talented players, are extremely well coached and year in and year out they are a top 25 team. MSU coming to Kalamazoo for a road match is great for college soccer. In a time where the majority Power 5 soccer schools don’t travel outside of conference matches. We don’t have a strong history in this match-up, but I know tonight our alumni are smiling, our supporters are celebrating and our team is trending in the right direction.”
Western Michigan jumps back in to Mid-American Conference action on Saturday hosting No. 21 West Virginia at 12 p.m. Prior to the start of the match, the Broncos will take time to honor their senior class.
ALL CONTENT IN THIS ARTICLE WAS WRITTEN AND PRODUCED BY THE STAFF AT WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
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