Box Score

KALAMAZOO, Mich.- The Western Michigan men's soccer team fell in its first exhibition match of the season, 6-2, to Davenport at home on Wednesday. The Broncos will look to bounce back with their final preseason tune-up game on Sunday against DePaul at the WMU Soccer Complex at 2 p.m.

Western Michigan and Davenport were tied, 1-1, after the first half of play, but the Panther's Elfid Kovacevic took over in the final 45 minutes, scoring a pair of goals and having a hand in three others.

Davenport took an early 1-0 lead on a Rory Scott tally in the 16th minute, but WMU was able to knot the score six minutes later as Jordan Miller and Tyler Rosenhagen picked apart the Panther defense on a nice passing combination and freshman Sam Meyer booted the ball over the diving Jack Owens for the goal. Meyer found the back of the net again later in the half, but was whistled for offsides and would have it waved back.

Kovacevic broke open the 1-1 tie minutes after the break, striking left-footed from 20 yards out and beating WMU sophomore keeper A.J. Reed near post. Kovacevic notched his first of three assists on Carl Winterbottom's goal in the 61st minute and then scored his second goal of the period in the 64th minute, receiving the ball near the top of the 18-yard box and turning on two Bronco defenders, striking low on the left side.

Trailing 4-1, Fylonenko pulled Western Michigan within two goals in the 69th minute. Meyer made his way up the left sideline with some fancy footwork and slotted the ball through the middle to Fylonenko who was taken down hard in the box and awarded a penalty kick he made good on.

Kovacevic made sure WMU didn't pull any closer playing to teammate Duvare Minto for a score in the 75th minute and finding Bryant Roos with a corner ball in the 87th.

Western Michigan has nine days before the regular season begins, opening its 2008 slate at the Michigan State/Radisson Fall Classic Aug. 29 against Vermont and returning to take on St. Francis (Pa.) two days later.