Men's Soccer | August 24, 2017

KALAMAZOO, Mich.- The Western Michigan men's soccer officially opens the 2017 season with a matches at the WMU Soccer Complex this weekend. WMU takes on LIU Brooklyn at 5 p.m. Friday and then host Stetson on Sunday at 11 a.m. as part of Fill the Farm doubleheader. The Bronco women's soccer team takes the field at 2 p.m., hosting Indiana. The first 100 fans to each match get a WMU soccer t-shirt and admission is free to both contests.
 
This will be the Broncos' first regular season match after playing in two exhibition games in which they defeated DePaul, 1-1 (4-2 PK) and Detroit Mercy, 4-0.
 
Head coach Chad Wiseman is entering his fifth season at the helm of the Broncos. Wiseman has led the Broncos to the Mid-American Conference Tournament each of the seasons he has been head coach. Wiseman is already excited to see what this year's team can do with the combination of good leadership, versatility and explosiveness.
 
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VETERAN LEADERS
WMU is returning three All-MAC selections in senior midfielder Brandon Bye, senior defender Zach Bock, and redshirt senior goalkeeper Drew Shepherd. Bye led the Broncos in goals (8) and assists (5) last year. Shepherd made 43 saves and had a .92 goals against average. Bock led the team in minutes on the pitch with 1,721 minutes. All three were also all-region selections a year ago.
 
"Drew is an incredible leader and player and he understands what it takes to be a Bronco in every phase of the program," Wiseman said. "Brandon Bye is more of a leader by example, he brings it every day. I think if you're an underclassmen that sees your captain bringing it every day that can motivate his teammates to bring it every day as well. Zach is a gamer, when there is competition he is going to bring it and be at his best. They all lead differently, but I think they complement each other very well and will do a great job of leading this year's team."
 
TOUGH NON-CONFERENCE
Western Michigan has put together a strong non-conference schedule to help prepare the Broncos for MAC play. Several of the schools that WMU scheduled are known for having strong soccer teams. Some of those games that will stand out are Cincinnati (Sept. 4), at Butler (Sept. 8), Michigan (Sept. 20), at Portland (Sept. 29), and Michigan State (Oct. 4).
 
"We've put together a great slate of games, both away and here for our home supporters," Wiseman stated. "The most important part of our schedule is the MAC portion. I think our conference is going to be a top 5 conference in the entire nation.
 
"Because of that we had to go out and play some of the best teams in the nation. These guys came to WMU to play against the best players and the best teams in the nation, as a coaching staff we needed to create an environment and create a schedule that will allow them to do that."
 
KEYS TO WIN THE MAC
The Broncos have made four consecutive trips to the MAC Tournament. Last season the Broncos finished MAC play with a 1-1-3 record with its only loss to eventual champion Akron. WMU was picked to finish fourth behind #16 in the nation Akron, West Virginia and SIU Edwardsville who finished in the top 25 last year.  
 
"First thing we need to do is believe that we can win the MAC. Akron has had a stranglehold for a few years now," Wiseman said. "We will also need to peak at the right time of the season, we'll need to be solid defensively, and just take it one game at a time because you don't want to get caught looking ahead. These guys are believing in the process, getting better every day and are a fun group to be around."
 
TYPE OF TEAM
WMU last season was second in the MAC in corners (274) and shots (309). The Broncos were also third in goals (28) and goals per game (1.47). Bye ranked second in shots (71), points (21) and goals (8).
 
"The thing that excites me most is our explosiveness. The ability to turn a game in a couple of plays on both sides of the ball. We have three or four players who could be the best in the entire nation at their respected positions," Wiseman said. "We are going to be a tough out for any team and I think everyone knows when they play Western Michigan it's going to be a tough game. We are going to be athletic and explosive but we are a team that values keeping the ball when we ca. When the game changes which it will, I know we can change with it and having great leaders who can make adjustments that are needed to get the result is very helpful."
 
After the weekend the Broncos will be on the road at Eastern Illinois on Friday, Sept. 1 at 4 p.m.