Box Score
KALAMAZOO, Mich.- After scoring first, Western Michigan was forced to fight from behind to pull out its first win of the season, defeating Canisius, 5-3, Friday afternoon at the WMU Soccer Complex.
After scoring first, Western Michigan was forced to fight from behind and pulled out its first win of the season, defeating Canisius, 5-3, Friday afternoon at the WMU Soccer Complex. On a set play outside the 18-yard box, freshman Kai Mendes played a ball onto senior Tyler Rosenhagen. Rosenhagen ran onto the ball from the outside and buried the ball in the back of the net for a 1-0 WMU lead.
Defensive lapses over the next 20 minutes almost cost Western Michigan the game, as the Broncos allowed three-straight goals and found themselves behind 3-1 after the first half. In the 27th minute, freshman Bronco goalie Cody Camp misplayed a long bounce and let it sail over his head for the first Canisius goal, credit going to Alan McGreal. Jason Marks put the Griffins up 2-1 in the 32nd, finishing a rebound off a shot by McGreal.
A misjudgement by Camp in the 37th minute led to a 3-1 deficit. Camp took out the feet of Matt Sprague on a breakaway and the Griffins were awarded a penalty kick. McGreal made good on the shot to give him five points on the day.
Western Michigan regrouped at the half and came out like a whole new squad, with senior Casey Aubil between the posts for the Broncos. WMU scored four second-half goals and held Canisius scoreless for the comeback win.
Freshman Joel Del Toro came off the bench to start the second half and got the offense going, heading in a corner from fellow classmate Darren Jones in the 52nd minute. Six minutes later, freshman Danny Mortemore tied the game at three-all, diving into the goal and finishing a loose ball in the box that came off the foot of Andrew Gasiorek.
Junior Saeed Sulemana Baba scored the game-winner for Western Michigan, his team-leading fourth goal of the season. Doug Raak carried the ball up the left sideline and chipped a ball into Sulemana Baba who kept his defender on his back and knocked the ball in. It was his third goal in as many games.
Mendes added an insurance goal for WMU, to go along with his assist, in the 83rd minute to seal the win. Mendes worked two defenders from left to right and ripped a shot in the middle of the 18 into the left corner of the net.
The goals by the freshmen Del Toro, Mortemore and Mendes were the first of their collegiate careers, while Rosenhagen's tally was his first of the season. Both teams were forced to play with 10 players on the field with 19 minutes remaining, as each side had a player sent off with a red card.
The win for Western Michigan was also the first victory for Stu Riddle in his collegiate coaching career. WMU improved to 1-6-0, while Canisius fell to 1-5-1.
Western Michigan will look to make it two-in-a-row Sunday, hosting Centenary at noon. The Broncos celebrate Starving Students and Team Bronco Day against the Gents, offering free pizza (while supplies last) to WMU students and Team Bronco Kids Club members.
