KALAMAZOO, Mich. - The Western Michigan men's soccer team suffered its fourth loss of the 2016 season, falling at home to Valparaiso, 2-1, Tuesday afternoon at the WMU Soccer Complex. With the result, the Broncos' record moves to 8-4-2 on the year. 
  
Junior midfielder Brandon Bye scored his eighth goal of season for Western Michigan's lone goal while senior midfielder Edu Jimenez dished out the assist.

"College soccer cannot always be pretty and it was evident this afternoon," commented WMU head coach Chad Wiseman. "Credit to Valparaiso, they are an experienced team that took advantage of its chances. They are in first place in the Horizon League and they know how to finish games like they did today."

How it Happened:
As the first half came to a close, neither team would mount quality chances as the Broncos and the Crusaders headed into the break scoreless. The second half proved to be much different.

The Broncos capitalized in the 49th minute when a Jimenez corner kick was sent into the box. Midfielder Bye out jumped his defender as the ball connected on his head sailing past the Crusader goalkeeper.

Valparaiso answered with its own corner goal just 10 minutes after, evening the score at one apiece. Defender Omar Lawrence rose above all Bronco defenders sending the header past redshirt junior goalkeeper Drew Shepherd.

The Crusader game-winning goal occurred with just eight minutes remaining. Midfielder Isaiah Madrid threaded the Bronco defense for a breakaway opportunity. Forward Kendan Anderson finished the ball behind Shepherd.

The final opportunity for the Broncos came with just 42 seconds remaining after the ball bounced out of the Crusader six-yard box. Redshirt freshman defender Alex Ruddock pinged the ball just wide of the Valparaiso post.

Western Michigan produced seven goal scoring opportunities but only putting their goal on frame compared to the Crusaders placing three shots on net connecting on two goals. WMU held the 4-2 advantage in corner kicks during the afternoon.

Quotable:
"We are still a young team that is learning the hard way in recent weeks on how to make adjustments when needed," Wiseman said. "It doesn't get any easier for us with Bowling Green next on the schedule. They are a team that is in form and undefeated at home. The team will have to show more fight than we did today if we want to get a result on Saturday."

Up Next:
Saturday, Oct. 15, the Broncos travel to the Falcons from Bowling Green to continue Mid-American Conference play. The game is slated to kick off at 7 p.m.