KENT, Ohio – The Western Michigan women's soccer team ended its Mid-American Conference Tournament Title defense on Friday afternoon at Dix Stadium in Kent, Ohio. In a rematch of last week's contest against the Northern Illinois Huskies, the Broncos were defeated 3-2 in the MAC semifinals and finish the 2016 season with a 13-7-1 overall record.
 
"Obviously this is not the way we wanted to wrap up our season," commented WMU head coach Lauren Sinacola. "NIU did a great job of flipping the momentum in the second half. I am proud of the resilience our team showed battling till the final whistle. This loss doesn't represent how successful our season was this year."
 
Senior defender Megan Ross and junior forward Alex Ruffer each scored for the Broncos while senior forward Olivia Vollmers dished out one assist.  
 
How it Happened:
The Huskies got on the box score first after a long throw was delivered into the box in the third minute. As a header was served towards the net, Bronco goalkeeper Stephanie Heber collected the ball for her only save of the first half.
 
Western Michigan got on the scoreboard first in the 19^th minute off a Bronco corner kick. Sophomore midfielder Alyssa Burke sent the ball to the far post, senior defender Megan Ross rocketed a shot towards Huskie goalie Mackenzie Lee who made the save. Lee was unable to hold onto the ball and it rebounded back to Ross. The senior calmly finished the ball past Lee to give WMU the lead. The goal was her first this season and fourth of her career.
 
As neither team capitalized on goal-scoring opportunities before the half, the Broncos took the 1-0 lead into the break. Western Michigan held the 4-0 advantage in corner kicks while outshooting the Huskies 5-1.
 
Northern Illinois tied the game just five minutes in the second half after Huskie Allie Ingham placed the ball to the bottom left corner past Heber.
 
The Huskies took the lead in the 58^th minute after a cross sailed over Heber's head and Ingham connected on her second goal of the game. Northern Illinos notched its third goal of the game in the 73^rd minute from Kelsey Chope as the Huskies pulled ahead 3-1.
 
Junior forward Alex Ruffer pulled the Broncos within one, receiving a ball from senior forward Olivia Vollmers inside the six-yard box with just eight minutes remaining in regulation. The forward would finish the ball for her third this season.
 
Northern Illinois would push numbers back and play stiff defense in the final minutes to preserve the 3-2 semifinal victory.
 
Western Michigan says goodbye to a distinguished senior class made up of Liz Abro, Mackenzie Barber, Jewel Edwards, Makenzie Larson, Megan Ross, Candice Uhl and Olivia Vollmers. Combined this class is the winningest class over a four-year period in Western Michigan history with 51 wins and winning two MAC tournament championships.
 
"The senior class is a very special one," commented WMU head coach Lauren Sinacola. " Not only have they had success but they helped bring this program to where it is now. The seniors have paved the way for years to come and I am very thankful for each and every single one of them. They will be missed."