BUFFALO, N.Y. – The Western Michigan men's soccer team (6-3-3, 0-0-1 MAC) played Buffalo to a 2-2 tie on Friday night in their Mid-American Conference opener.
The scoring would get started for the Broncos in the 21st minute when juniors Connor Furgason and Sean Conerty each grabbed an assist as sophomore defenseman Hunter Vandenboom rocketed the ball pass the goalkeeper for his first goal of the season. Conerty recorded his MAC leading eighth assist and now has at least one assist on four of the last five goals for WMU.
With four minutes remaining in the first half, the Broncos would capitalize on a Buffalo error to extend push their lead to, 2-0. After a shot by Vandenboom that was blocked, Buffalo was unable to stop the ball from passing the goal line and gave the Broncos the own goal.
Buffalo (3-7-1, 0-0-1 MAC) would get on the board in the 83rd minute when defenseman Austin Place sneaked a ball past WMU goalkeeper Chase Rau for his first goal of the season and trimmed the lead to 2-1.
With just 11 seconds left in the second half, Buffalo's Russell Cicerone off a penalty kick rebound slipped it past Rau into the right corner of the net to send the game to overtime. WMU would have their chances outshooting the Bulls 5-1 in the overtime periods but nothing was able to get pass Buffalo goalkeeper Waleed Cassis and the Broncos would have to settle for the 2-2 tie.
For the first time this season the Broncos were outshot, 18-11 but outshot the Bulls in corner kicks, 7-3. Rau still continued to impress in between the pipes for the Broncos, making eight saves. The Broncos remain consistent with solid play as they have lost only once in their last nine contests. WMU also continues their impressive play in MAC openers as they are 4-0-3 since 2009.
The Brown and Gold will travel for another mid-week showdown against a Big Ten opponent, as they head to East Lansing on Wednesday, Oct. 15 to take on Michigan State at 4 p.m.
