Box Score
KALAMAZOO, Mich.- Western Michigan got goals from four different players, easily topping Lewis University in the Broncos' first exhibition match of the season, Saturday at the WMU Soccer Complex. Freshman Lito Esquivel and sophomore Kai Mendes each had a goal and an assist. Lewis, a Division II school outside of Chicago, was ranked preseason No. 3 after advancing to the National Championship Semifinals in 2009.
"I was pleased with our overall performance against what we knew was going to be a very good Lewis side," WMU head coach Stu Riddle said. "To score four great goals was fantastic but pulling us down to earth was the manner in which we gifted the opposition their two goals. We saw some boys develop into men out there today, and this game was a very important preseason step for us."
Esquivel and Mendes combined for WMU's first two goals, Esquivel giving the Broncos a 1-0 advantage just four minutes into the match. Mendes received a pass inside the box on the right, spun away from a defender and threaded the ball to Esquivel, who was waiting in the middle. Esquivel buried the ball low in the left corner as Lewis goalkeeper Sebastian Kieruzal charged off his line.
A defensive breakdown on a counter attack six minutes later allowed Lewis to even the game at one all, Robert McGowan scoring for the Flyers.
Western Michigan went back up 2-1 in the 25th minute, this time Esquivel assisting Mendes in a goal much similar to the first. Esquivel received the ball on the right and played on to Mendes who struck from in front of the goal. However, the Broncos were unable to carry the lead into halftime, as Lewis' Armin Vrebac tied the score with a goal just 18 seconds before the half.
Western Michigan, who used different lineups in each half, switched out its side and dominated the second half of play. Sophomore Darren Jones gave the Broncos the lead for good in the 66th minute, scoring off a direct free kick. Lined up just outside the 18 in the center of the field, Jones rocketed a shot into the upper left corner that the goalie had no chance of saving.
Freshman Joseph Beshara provided a two-goal cushion two and a half minutes later, scoring unassisted. Beshara worked the ball on the left side deep near the end line and flicked the ball past two Lewis defenders and the keeper.
Beshara nearly had a second goal in the final minutes after Kieruzal mishandled a shot by Joel Del Toro. Beshara got a foot on the rebound but Kieruzal scrambled and was able to smother the ball before it crossed the goal line.
Sophomore Cody Camp and freshman Sean Lewis split time in goal for the Broncos, Camp getting the start and making four stops with two goals against. Lewis knocked down one shot in the second half. All 24 of WMU's eligible field players saw action.
The Broncos have one last tune-up before their regular-season opener on Sept. 1 at home against Concordia. WMU travels across town to take on neighboring Kalamazoo College in an exhibition match Aug. 28 at 4 p.m.
