KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Western Michigan women's soccer team dropped its final Mid-American Conference regular-season home contest on Sunday afternoon against current MAC leader, Kent State. The Broncos move to 8-6-1 overall and 3-4-1 in MAC play and will be on the road for their remaining three contests.

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Prior to the game the team honored its senior class, a class that will go down in program history. The seven-members include Tiffany Buckler, Stephanie Heber, Maria Jaramillo, Kendall Juhnke, Emma Kahn, Alex Ruffer and Alyssa Smith. The group has left a significant mark on the program, helping the team to a MAC Tournament Championship and a berth in the 2015 NCAA Tournament. The class has a combined 48 wins and needs just two more to join the 2016 senior class as one of just two classes in program history to have double-digit wins all four years.

"It's unfortunate we couldn't get a win for the seniors today, especially after all they have done for this program," commented WMU head coach Lauren Sinacola. "We have to bounce back and take care of business next weekend on the road."

In the first half, the Broncos showed some good possession play stringing passes around the Kent State defense. Ruffer had the first opportunity for the Brown & Gold in the eighth minute when forward Emma Kahn cut the ball back on the end line, slotting the pass to Ruffer as her shot went just over the crossbar.

The Broncos were able to hold the Golden Flashes from any real chance in the first. Redshirt senior goalkeeper Stephanie Heber was called upon to make three saves in the first but all from shots coming from outside of the 18-yard box. Ruffer and defender Smith all recorded shots in the first for the Broncos.
 
WMU continued its strong play throughout the first 20 minutes of the second until the Golden Flashes began to put on the pressure with two straight corners. Kent State would capitalize on the second after an attempted clear as Rachel Ernst found the ball at her feet, placing it into the far post for the game-winner.

The Broncos developed some momentum late but were unable to even the score falling 1-0 on the cold, wet and windy day. Junke and Ruffer recorded two shots for the Broncos landing one on goal apiece. Heber played the full 90 for WMU, notching four saves.

WMU is back in action next weekend traveling to Eastern Michigan on Thursday, Oct. 19 and Central Michigan on Sunday, Oct. 22.