MORGANTOWN, W.V.- Western Michigan battled West Virginia to a scoreless draw Saturday night under the lights to remain the only undefeated team in the Mid-American Conference with a 2-0-1 league record. The result also gave the Broncos one point in the conference standings.
The shutout was Western Michigan's third straight against MAC opponents, as the team has yet to allow a goal in three conference outings.
Sophomore goalkeeper
Chase Rau stepped up big, making two highlight saves and five total in the game. In the first half, he denied Majed Osman a penalty kick in the 19th minute. Late in the second half, he turned away a breakaway.
“Chase and the back line were absolutely tremendous,” said WMU head coach
Chad Wiseman. “He was fantastic early in the first half when I thought a call didn't go our way and stuffed a breakaway in the second. He was really the difference maker in this game.
“Offensively, I thought we created six or seven very dangerous scoring opportunities, but weren't able to put one in. I thought our team made a big stand, playing on the road for the first time ever at West Virginia. Although you always want to win, we can walk away proudly today with a tie, taking one point in the standings which is big. I think our team is really coming together at the right time and playing fantastic soccer.”
Ryan Lemasters nearly had the golden goal for Western Michigan in the second overtime, rocketing a ball off the post with less than two minutes left in the game. The rebound fell to
Oliver Mayer, but he was unable to put the ball on frame.
WMU had five shots on the evening, taking three in the second overtime. Sophomore center back
Connor Furgason led the team with two shots, one on goal. The Broncos dominated the stat column in regards to corner kicks, 8-3.
The trip to Morgantown was the first ever for Western Michigan, as well as the Broncos' second ever meeting with the Mountaineers, who became a conference affiliate in men's soccer last season.
Western Michigan (6-7-1 record overall) has four games left in the regular season, two conference and two non-conference. The Broncos travel to non-league foe Valparaiso Wednesday for an 8:30 ET kickoff and return to Kalamazoo to host MAC counterpart Bowling Green next Saturday at 1 p.m.
