Box Score

Season Stats

Muncie, Ind. -- The Western Michigan women's soccer team picked up its first win in Muncie since 2001 with a 3-0 win at Ball State to open Mid-American Conference play on Friday afternoon.

Jackie Drees tallied the game-winning goal in the 49th minute and Stephanie Skowneski added two more on top as the Broncos (5-4-0) improved to 1-0-0 in the MAC. Both teams battled 20-plus mile-per-hour winds throughout the game, causing many problems for the Broncos and Cardinals.

After a scoreless first half that saw the Broncos held to zero total shots, the Broncos struck first in the 49th minute. A free kick by senior center back Ashley Caliendo was played wide to Skowneski, who chipped it into the box and Drees headed it in to give WMU a 1-0 lead in the 49th minute. The goal was the second of the season for Drees, the second assist for Skowneski and the first assist of the season for Caliendo, the team's captain.

“We survived the first half,” said head coach Suzie Grech. “We were able to withstand the wind and get into the half tied 0-0. After that, we knew that if we could just get a goal it would be ours.”

Minutes later in the 54th minute Skowneski added her first on the day after Brittney Pavlica played the ball in behind the Ball State back line. Skowneski found herself all alone with BSU goalkeeper Aubrey Buehler before slotting it home for her fourth of the season. Pavlica picked the first assist of her collegiate career as WMU took a 2-0 lead.

Skowneski tied a career-high with her fifth of the season late in the 87th minute with a shot from 15 yards out after a pass into the box by Drees.

“Stephanie had a great game and is having a great season,” said Grech. “Ball State had trouble keeping up with her and the fact that she had a hand in every goal we scored today was a huge confidence booster for her and the team.”

Keeper Julia Francy made six saves to earn the shutout, the second of the season.

The Broncos continue MAC play on Sunday at 2 p.m., battling the Rockets in Toledo.