Women's Soccer | August 17, 2017

KALAMAZOO, Mich.- The Western Michigan women's soccer team opens its 2017 regular season at home against Oakland on Sunday, Aug. 20 at the WMU Soccer Complex at 1:00 p.m. Admission to all WMU home soccer games is free.
 
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BRONCOS IN A SNAP SHOT
Western Michigan was picked to finish third in the Mid-American Conference West Division in the preseason MAC Coaches poll. The Broncos are coming off a 13-7-1 season and will be led by first team All-MAC junior midfielder Alyssa Burke and redshirt senior goalkeeper Stephanie Heber.  Senior forward Alex Ruffer and sophomore forward Roselyn Kyeame both had successful spring seasons scoring two goals in five games.
 
Western Michigan faced off against Oakland in the spring, winging 4-1 on two goals from Burke and goals from Ruffer and Kyeame. In last year's match up the Broncos won 1-0 with a late goal from senior defender Maria Jaramillo. Despite the close score the Broncos dominated in all statistical categories.
 
SCOUTING OAKLAND
Oakland was picked to finish fourth in the Horizon League preseason poll. Last season the Golden Grizzles finished with a 9-10-1 record. Leading the way for Oakland will be junior midfielder Sydnye Gagner who led the team in goals (8) and assists (5) last season. Along with Gagner Oakland has five seniors that will make big impacts including Cecilie Dokka, Vlad Gurovski, Vanessa Ogbonna, Jenny Rosonke and Devin Tomlinson.
 
In exhibition play Oakland tied with Ball State 0-0 and defeated Fort Wayne 1-0 with the lone goal coming from freshman midfielder Hollie Clement.  
 
COACH'S THOUGHTS
"We are really looking forward to our season-opener against Oakland. The players have been focused all preseason and I'm confident we are ready to compete! We have been working hard and getting better every day. We are excited to kick off our 2017 season on our brand new surface!" – Head Coach Lauren Sinacola.
 
SERIES HISTORY
In the all-time series match up Oakland leads 8-7. Two of the last three matches have been won by Western Michigan.
 
NEXT UP
The Broncos will hit the road and head to Wright State on Thursday, Aug. 24 for their first road match of the year starting at 7:00 p.m. On Sunday, Aug. 27 the Broncos welcome Indiana to the WMU Soccer Complex for Fill The Farm Day starting at 2:00 p.m.