In 2003, something magical happened in Kalamazoo at Western Michigan's Soccer Complex. Both the Bronco men's and women's teams captured the school's first ever Mid-American Conference Tournament Championships on their home turf, becoming the first MAC school to win the men's and women's league tournament titles in the same year. As a result, both programs also made their first NCAA Tournament appearance. Western Michigan will celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the MAC Champion men's and women's soccer teams over the 2013 Alumni Weekend, Sept. 20-22.
WESTERN MICHIGAN MEN
In 2003, it marked a year in which the men's soccer team went 12-7-1, tying a school record for most wins in a season. The Broncos were also able to score 41 goals throughout the season, which ranked second most in program history.
Leading the charge for WMU was All-MAC First Team player Jeff Hughes with a team-high 16 goals, tying for the most in a single season at WMU. Hughes led every offensive category in the MAC and was tied for 23th nationally in goals per game.
Just as impressive as Hughes was, so was Giuliano Teixeria who was an assist machine throughout the season. Teixeria set the single-season record for most assist (13) and tied a high single match total in the NCAA in 2003 with three assists against Marshall.
Not only was the offense clicking on all cylinders but the defense was doing their part as well. WMU posted six shutouts in 20 games through the season including three-straight shutouts in the MAC Tournament. WMU was third in the conference with 1.16 goals against average. The driving force of the Bronco defense was goalie Brent Miller who led the MAC in save percentage (.885).
Western Michigan headed into the MAC Tournament as the number three seed and was pitted in the quarterfinals against Marshall. Senior defenseman Travis Waters' header proved to be the only goal for the Broncos as they defeated Marshall 1-0. WMU was then faced against No. 2 seeded and regionally ranked Akron in the semifinals. After 110 minutes of scoreless soccer, WMU would go on to win in penalty kicks.
After playing the first two games of the tournament in Bowling Green, Ohio, the Broncos earned the right to host the MAC Championship game and ironically, would go up against Bowling Green. The Broncos well-outmatched their opponent, routing BGSU 5-0 for the title. Jeff Hughes led the team with two goals and WMU posted a season-high 32 shots.
The Broncos went on to face No. 6 UW-Milwaukee in the first round of the NCAA Tournament and fell by a 4-1 score.
The 2003 team earned several individual recognitions. Hughes and Scott Duhl were named First Team All-MAC, as well as to the Great Lakes All-Region Team, while Guiseppe Ianni and Jason Okroy were honored as Second Team All-MAC. Brent Miller, Giuliano Teixeria, Travis Waters and Pat Wilson were named to the MAC All-Tournament Team. Deservingly, Coach Chris Karwoski was named MAC Coach of the Year.
2003 Western Michigan Men's Soccer Roster
No. Name Position
00 Jordan Ovaitt GK
0 Ian Spooner GK
1 Brent Miller GK
2 Edgar Rivera F
3 Jason Okroy D
4 Chris Okroy MF
5 Keon Jordan D
6 Pat Wilson D
7 Rich Perrott MF
8 Dan Picmann D
9 Scott Duhl D
10 Giuliano Teixeira MF
11 Giusseppe Ianni F
12 Travis Waters D
13 Jeff Hughes F
14 Ryan Goldman MF
15 Joel VandeVusse F
16 Chadd Schurr MF
17 Ashley Fromson F
18 Javier Arana MF
19 Josh Scott D
20 Bill McClellan D
21 Michael John-Williams MF
22 Michael Smith MF
23 Kyle Hall D
24 Kevin Howald F
Head Coach: Chris Karwoski
Assistant Coaches: Carl Whitehouse, Chad Wiseman
