KALAMAZOO, Mich.- Western Michigan outshot Detroit 16-7 and placed 11 shots on goal, but were unable to get past the Titans Wednesday in non-conference action. Detroit came back from a 1-0 deficit in the second half to defeat the Broncos, 2-1.
"It was a terrible spectacle of a game and our performance helped make it that way," said a dissatisfied Bronco head coach Stu Riddle after the game. "We weren't ready to play and seemingly weren't interested in playing, and I think the early success of the team this season has given players too much security in their own minds."
The loss snaps a three-game winning streak for the Broncos, who had not given up a goal in their previous three contests. Western Michigan slipped to 7-3-1 while Detroit improved to 4-6-1. The Broncos began the week ranked No. 9 in the Great Lakes Region.
Sophomore Joel Del Toro came off the bench to give WMU a 1-0 lead in the 68th minute, corralling a loose ball off a corner in front of the goal. Kai Mendes served the ball from the left side and Yllson Asani got a head on it at the back post. Del Toro finished for his second goal of the season.
Detroit evened the score five minutes later (72:59) when Kevin Pinkos scored off a long throw-in by Adam Bedell that was flicked on by Ken Simon.
UD's Ya Ya Toure scored the game-winner in the 86th minute, chipping a ball over the top of Bronco keeper Sean Lewis. Kevin Gill played the ball into space for Toure who out ran his defender.
Lewis (3-1-1) made three stops for Western Michigan. He had gone 409:36 between giving up his last goal at Green Bay on Sept. 17.
Sophomore Shane Lyons led WMU with five shots, three on goal, while freshman Oliver Mayer placed both of his attempts on target.
Western Michigan will rest for a week before taking on 18th ranked Michigan State on the road next Wednesday, Oct. 13.
"The one positive is that this calamity happened during out of conference schedule and ultimately doesn't affect us too badly," Riddle added. "We have 17 days and three non-conference matches now to prepare for our next conference match and we will maximizing the time to ensure that we are prepared."
