KALAMAZOO, Mich. - The Western Michigan men's soccer team bounced back from its first loss in six games with a 3-0 victory over Oakland University Tuesday, Oct. 9 at WMU Soccer Complex, improving its overall record to 7-5-1 on the season.

It took the Broncos just 38 seconds to register the game-winning goal, as Mike Melaragni tallied his first collegiate goal. Brendan Skinner put a ball past the Golden Grizzly back line with Melaragni finishing for his first in Brown & Gold. 

"It was a great team win today," said head coach Chad Wiseman. "A lot of guys saw action and it was exactly what we needed heading into a big Mid-American Conference weekend."

WMU added two more goals while limiting Oakland to one shot on goal throughout 90 minutes to secure the three-goal victory. The home team notched an own goal at the 32nd minute, as Tommy Clark took a Donovan Michael centering pass in the box and shot one off a Golden Grizzly defender. 

In the second half, Ben Thornton scored his fourth goal of the season, brilliantly heading in a Cameron Sipple corner kick at the 57 minute mark. WMU outshot the visitors 13-4 and held a 6-4 advantage in corners. 

Lukas Von Lienen earned his second shutout of the season in goal while improving his record to 5-2-1. 

"Finding a third goal early in the second half really kind of put the game away," said head coach Chad Wiseman. "It was an outstanding header from Ben. Scoring under a minute into the match certainly helps our cause, congrats to Mike on his first collegiate goal. Oakland is a good team and has and will win games this season. We were very discipline on there attacking players."

Up next, Western Michigan heads back into MAC play at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville on Saturday. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. (ET).