KALAMAZOO, Mich.- The Western Michigan men's soccer season officially gets underway this weekend with road games at Marshall (Aug. 26) and Dayton (Aug. 28).

Western Michigan is coming off one of its most successful seasons in 2015 and returns 14 players from that roster. The Broncos earned their first ever Top 25 national ranking and set a school record with 12 shutouts while posting 11 wins. Head coach Chad Wiseman collected Mid-American Conference Coach of the Year honors and the Broncos produced four all-region players, six All-MAC selections and an NCAA statistical champion.

Among the Bronco returners is First Team All-MAC goalkeeper Drew Shepherd. Shepherd was the NCAA Division I statistical champion for goals against average for the 2015 season. He allowed just four goals against in 1101:24 minutes played for a .329 GAA. Shepherd also finished second among Division I keepers for save percentage (.879).

Also returning are Second Team All-MAC selections Brandon Bye, who tallied  two goals and four assists, and defender Zach Bock who helped anchor a defense that posted 12 shutouts. The Broncos have five seniors, including three-year letterwinners Hunter Vandenboom and Edu Jimenez.

Western Michigan played two preseason exhibition games, first battling Loyola-Chicago to a 0-0 tie and then defeating DePaul at home 2-0. Bye scored both of the goals in the win over the Blue Demons, tallying goals in the 59th and 62nd minute.

On August 25, it was announced that Western Michigan was voted to finish second in the Mid-American Conference according to the preseason coaches' poll. The Broncos received one first place vote.

Following this weekend's games, Western Michigan will get a chance to play its first home games, hosting Summit League opponents IPFW and IUPUI, Sept. 2 and Sept. 5.