KALAMAZOO, Mich.- The No. 12 Western Michigan men's soccer team took down Akron 1-0 this afternoon. Redshirt junior Tommy Clark scored the game-winning goal in the 56^th minute of the game off a free kick.

"What a performance from the men today," said WMU head coach Chad Wiseman. "That was the most disciplined 90 minutes we have played all year. Beating Akron doesn't happen often, it's certainly not easy but you have to give the players the credit for how they played today."

The Broncos were on the attack early and Clark put a header on goal but was saved. Right before the half Clark took a great shot off a free kick that ended up being saved.

Redshirt junior goalkeeper Elijah Michaels had a very productive day in his first career start tallying five saves filling in for the injured redshirt senior goalkeeper Drew Shepherd. The Bronco defense held strong throughout the game making things difficult for the Zips.

In the 56^th minute the Broncos were awarded a free kick from 35 yards out. Off the free kick, Clark drove the ball low to the lower right post past the Zips goalkeeper to give the Broncos the 1-0 lead. The game-winning goal was Clark's first of his career as a Bronco.  

"Eli Michaels stepped up in a big way," Wiseman said. "It was his first career start and he was ready. He had to make three really big saves in the first half to keep us in it. I'm very happy for him. These guys keep stepping up to the challenges in front of them, they are a lot of fun to be around.

"It was an epic day for the WMU Soccer Complex. Bronco Soccer Fest was an unbelievable event for our community. Allison Frontzcak and her staff hit a home run and the community came out in big numbers to enjoy it."

This was the third regular season win for WMU over Akron in program history and the first since Oct. 25, 2014.

WMU will travel to Northern Illinois for its next game on Saturday, Oct. 14 starting at 8 p.m.