Women's Soccer | August 15, 2017

CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Western Michigan women's soccer team was picked to finish third in the Mid-American Conference West Division in the preseason MAC Coaches Poll, released by the conference on Monday afternoon.

The Broncos received one first place vote in the MAC West, placing them behind Central Michigan and Ball State. BSU was picked to win the West, while Kent State was the favorites in the MAC East.

WMU went 13-7-1 last season and a 7-5-1 record in conference play. The team made it to the MAC Tournament Semifinals for fourth consecutive season before falling to Northern Illinois. The Broncos return First Team All-MAC midfield Alyssa Burke, who finished second on the team in scoring with 14 points on four goals and a team-best six assists.

Western Michigan opened up the 2017 season with an exhibition loss to the University of Michigan last Friday and fell at Detroit Mercy on Monday, 2-1. Grace Labadie scored the lone goal for WMU to tie it up at 1-1 in the second half.

The Broncos up 2017 regular season at the WMU Soccer Complex on Sunday, Aug. 20 against Oakland at 1 p.m. Admission is free.

EAST
1.       Kent State (10)
2.       Buffalo (2)
3.       Miami
4.       Ohio
5.       Akron
6.       Bowling Green

WEST
1.       Ball State (7)
2.       Central Michigan (3)
3.       Western Michigan (1)
4.       Eastern Michigan
5.       Northern Illinois (1)
6.       Toledo

Tournament Champion: Ball State (4)
Central Michigan (3), Kent State (2), Eastern Michigan (1), Northern Illinois (1), Buffalo (1)
(first place votes)