KALAMAZOO, Mich. - The Western Michigan men's soccer team opened its 2018 Mid-American Conference schedule with a 2-1 loss versus West Virginia University Saturday, Oct. 6 at WMU Soccer Complex during WMU Homecoming. 

The loss snaps a six-game unbeaten streak for the Broncos, dropping their record to 6-5-1 overall and 0-1-0 in the MAC. The Mountaineers improve to 8-4-0 overall and 1-0-0 in conference play. 

After the Broncos notched the game's opening goal, the visiting Mountaineers scored two unanswered goals to steal the road victory. WMU tallied a season-high 18 shots and 10 shots on goal with a physical match leading to four yellow cards given to the Broncos and two to WVU. 

"We have nobody to blame but ourselves for the result today," said head coach Chad Wiseman. "Our inability to make plays in the most dangerous areas of the field both on the attacking and defending side of the ball caused us to lose this match."

20 minutes into the match, a Mountaineer handball inside of the box led to a Western Michigan penalty kick. Cameron Sipple converted for his third goal of the season and his first career PK goal. It was also the first penalty kick goal allowed by West Virginia this season. 

WVU answered with the game-tying goal nearly 10 minutes later. Josh DiMatteo headed in a centering ball inside the box past WMU goalkeeper Lukas Von Lienen. 

The Brown & Gold held a 10-8 shot and 3-2 corner kick advantage after the first 45 minutes as the score was knotted at 1-1 heading into the break. 

The game-winning goal was scored by the Mountaineers at the 83rd minute with a shot just inside of the right 18-yard box, handing WMU its first loss since a 3-2 overtime loss at Michigan Sept. 7.

Von Lienen made five saves in goal for WMU while suffering his first loss in six starts, his record falls to 4-2-1. 

"We will have to look deeper on our roster for answers moving forward," Wiseman commented.

Next up, Western Michigan hosts a non-conference matchup against Oakland University on Tuesday, Oct. 9 at WMU Soccer Complex. Kickoff is set for 4:30 p.m. with the match being broadcasted on ESPN3.