KALAMAZOO, Mich.- The Western Michigan men's soccer team dropped its final exhibition match of the 2013 preseason, falling to Western Illinois, 3-1, Saturday at MacKenzie Field.

The Leathernecks took a 1-0 lead in the 19th minute when Erick Bloom dribbled left to right in the box and finished low right. The Broncos evened the score before the half on a penalty kick by senior forward Ryan Lemasters in the 39th minute. Lemasters buried his goal to the right of Western Illinois keeper Donald Ticknor. WIU pulled ahead on Oscar Ortega's goal in the 55th minute and the Leathernecks added an insurance goal in the 64th minute.

“I thought we had some improvements from our first exhibition game,” said WMU head coach Chad Wiseman. “I thought we did a better job holding onto the ball. I think we realize now heading into our first game against Butler which of our young guys are ready to compete at this level and which ones need a little bit more time.

“Our 1v1 defending today let us down I thought. You have to give Western Illinois credit, I thought they were pretty special in the final third on all three of their goals. They deserved them and they were definitely the better team on the day.”

Western Illinois held the edge on shots, 14-11, and both teams took three corner kicks. Western Michigan goalie Chase Rau made three saves.

The Broncos open the 2013 regular season on the road at Butler, Aug. 30, and are away for their first six games. WMU returns to Kalamazoo for its home-opened Sept. 20 against Canisius.