KALAMAZOO, Mich.- The Western Michigan men's soccer team picked up a 2-1 victory over Eastern Illinois Sunday, capping off Alumni Weekend for the Broncos.

Senior Jason Grant and sophomore Carlos Suarez both came off the bench to net their first goals of the season. Sean Conerty, Brandon Bye, Sean Hazen and Esteban Russell each were credited with an assist.

It was the third-straight win for the Broncos and the second of the weekend. WMU also defeated Butler Friday at home, 2-1. After failing to earn a victory in their first three contests, the Broncos have bounced back to improve their record to 3-2-1.

“We knew we would have to go deeper into our bench today, given it was the second game of the weekend and Eastern Illinois' first,” said WMU head coach Chad Wiseman. “Our depth really showed today with both Grant and Suarez finding goals. Those two have worked extremely hard in their roles and I couldn't be more proud to see them be very impactful in the result today.”  

Grant gave Western Michigan a 1-0 lead in the 23rd minute, slamming home his ninth career goal. The play developed in the middle of the field, as Conerty dribbled 10 yards and slipped a ball through a crowd of defenders closing in. Bye took a touch and slotted a pass across the box to Grant who smashed a shot to the right of the diving keeper.

Western Michigan carried the lead into the second half until the 59th minute, when Jake Brillhart pulled Eastern Illinois even on an assist from Will Butler.

The Broncos responded four minutes later in the 63rd minute. Russell made a run down the right sideline and played a ball into the box to Hazen. Hazen fired off a shot that was batted down but not controlled by Eastern Illinois goalkeeper Mike Novotny. Suarez rushed in and cleaned up for his first career goal.

WMU junior goalkeeper Chase Rau made three saves and improved to 3-1-0 on the season with the win.

“EIU is a hard working team, and you have to give them credit for making us stay sharp for the entire 90 minutes,” Wiseman said. “Overall, it was just a fantastic weekend for Bronco soccer.”

WMU is on the road for a pair of games next weekend, traveling to Green Bay, Sept. 19, and Western Illinois on Sept. 21.