AKRON, Ohio – The No. 4 seeded Western Michigan Broncos fell to No. 1 seed Akron, 4-0, Friday evening in the Mid-American Conference Men's Soccer Tournament semifinals, bringing the Bronco season to a close.
Western Michigan finishes 2016 with a 9-6-4 overall record. Five Broncos were voted All-MAC, juniors
Zach Bock and
Brandon Bye earned First Team honors, while seniors
Edu Jimenez,
Diego Lopez and redshirt junior
Drew Shepherd were named Second Team.
"Akron was just better than us," commented WMU head coach
Chad Wiseman. "We were very good in the first 20 minutes and created some quality half chances and dangerous set pieces but just couldn't reward ourselves. We had a couple individual mistakes that led to two Akron goals in the first half and unfortunately we were unable to recover."
How it Happened:
Western Michigan had its first dangerous goal-scoring opportunity in the ninth minute. The Broncos were rewarded a 25-yard free kick after a Zip foul. Defender
Zach Bock sent in a perfect set piece but the Zip goalkeeper Ben Lundt was able to get a touch on the ball. Redshirt sophomore
Connor McNulty was there for the rebound as the midfielder sent his shot straight to the right post. The ball sailed high as each team remained scoreless.
As play continued, the Broncos maintained most of possession and played stiff defense stopping any potential Akron counter attack. However, Akron would begin to mount the pressure.
Akron capitalized on its first goal in the 24
th minute when a cross was pulled back off the end line and headed straight to the six-yard box. Zips Stuart Hothusen was in the right place to send the ball past Bronco goalie
Drew Shepherd.
After a Bronco foul in the box, Akron was awarded a penalty kick. Sam Gainford capitalized on the kick giving the Zips a two-goal lead in the 36
th minute.
In the final minutes of the first half, Western Michigan's
Jay McIntosh sent in a long throw into the box but again Lundt was there to collect the ball as the Brown & Gold took a 2-0 deficit into the break.
Akron took the three-goal advantage in the 52
nd minute when a dangerous cross was sent into the Bronco defensive end. Akron Marcel Zajac rose above all players and connected his head on the ball. The goal was his third of the season. The Zips tallied their fourth and final goal just seven minutes later from Ezana Kahsay.
Bock developed a final Bronco scoring opportunity in the 61
st minute off a free kick. As the ball was sent into the box, the defender connected his head on the ball but sent it straight to Lundt for another save.
As time continued to wind down, the Broncos were unable to notch a goal falling to the No. 1 seed Akron in the MAC semifinals.
"Credit Akron, they have a championship attitude about them," commented WMU head coach
Chad Wiseman. "They have top level players at all positions and they certainly showed their quality this evening."
SENIOR CLASS
Western Michigan says goodbye to five Bronco seniors made up of
Ruben Dos Santos,
Edu Jimenez,
Diego Lopez,
Hunter Vandenboom and
Josh Whitaker. Combined this class collected 37 wins over the last four years while appearing in the MAC Tournament every year during their four-year stint.
"I am very thankful for our five seniors who suited up for the last time in a Bronco uniform," commented WMU head coach
Chad Wiseman. "I appreciate their hard work, commitment and sacrifices they each have made towards the program. They will be missed."
