KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Western Michigan soccer team got five goals from five different players as the team picked up its second win of the season after defeating Stetson, 5-0, at the WMU Soccer Complex on Sunday afternoon.
Ben Thornton, Jay McIntosh, Brandon Bye, Jake Rufe and Pepe Martinez all scored their first goals of the season. Senior goalkeeper Drew Shepherd needed to make just two saves on the day to earn his first clean sheet of the season. Bye had part in four goals on the afternoon, also recording three assists.
"It was a complete performance by the men today," said head coach Chad Wiseman. "We talk about having to play a full 90 minutes and I thought we did just that."
"Jay McIntosh was unbelievable today," Wiseman added. "His hold up play was spot on and the goal he scored was one of great skill, strength and power. The staff couldn't be happier for him. It was also certainly nice to have Brandon Bye back on the field. He had an explosive game and was really tough for Stetson to deal with today. His runs off the ball created a lot of scoring chances."
The dominant performance started early for the Broncos (2-0-0) with goals in the 11th and 12th minutes. The first came off the head of Thornton and into the net off of a corner kick by McIntosh to give WMU lead. The goal was the first of the season for Thorton Just 1:03 later McIntosh placed one off the left post and into the net after a perfect pass from Connor McNulty to extend the lead to 2-0. Bye picked up the second assist on the goal, his first of the season.
With time winding down in the first half Tommy Clark found Bye on the right-side and Bye took it to the right corner of the box and fired it into the net for his first goal of the season.
WMU outshot Stetson 14-3 in the first half and 20-7 overall in the game.
Western Michigan kept up the pressure in the second half with Rufe scoring in the 50th minute. Bye played a through-ball behind the Hatters back line and Rufe put it in the left corner of the net to push the lead to 4-0.
The fifth and final goal came in the 70th minute by Martinez. Bye played the ball to redshirt freshman midfielder into the left-side of the box and Martinez fired it into the right corner of the net.
"A big shout out to Jake Rufe, Ben Thornton and Pepe Martinez for scoring their first goals in a Bronco uniform," Wiseman added. "And also a big thank you to our family, friends, and supporters for making our home field a tough out for our opponents."
Western Michigan heads on the road for the first time this season at Eastern Illinois on Friday, Sept. 4 at 4 p.m. The Broncos are back at home on Monday, Sept. 4, hosting Cincinnati at 3 p.m.
