MORGANTOWN, W. Va. - For the second consecutive season, the Western Michigan men's soccer team has advanced to the Mid-American Conference Championship, as the No. 3 seeded Broncos defeated No. 2 seed Bowling Green State University 2-0 on Friday, Nov. 11 in the MAC Semifinals on the campus of West Virginia University. 

The Brown & Gold used two first half goals by a pair of freshman, Mike Melaragni and Zack Shane, while freshman goalkeeper Lukas Von Lienen tallied three saves to earn his third shutout of the season and improve his record to 8-2-3. 

"What a performance from the men today," said head coach Chad Wiseman. "I am very happy for them to have earned a chance to play for a championship.

Melaragni scored the Broncos' the game-winning goal just under five minutes into the match. An Anthony Bowie shot from outside the left side of the box went off the right post and on to the foot of Melaragni, who finished on an open net for his third of the season and second game-winner. 

GOAL! @WMUMensSoccer @mikemelaragni gives the Broncos the lead with a lovely rebound goal!#MACtion pic.twitter.com/ttoOlaAI7s

— #MACtion (@MACSports) November 9, 2018

Shane secured the WMU two-goal cushion near the end of the first half with a great strike from 25-yard out. His fourth goal of the season broke his seven-game scoring drought. 

WHAT A STRIKE!@zshane23 doubles the @WMUMensSoccer lead with a beautiful goal from outside the box!#MACtion pic.twitter.com/BeQUf1CiRM

— #MACtion (@MACSports) November 9, 2018

"We made a couple big time plays in the first half," Wiseman said. "After Mike's goal, Bowling Green had us pinned in for the next 30 minutes and we were just defending our box. Ben Thornton proved why he is a First Team All-MAC center back, he was just an animal in there for us today. Zach's goal was quite the strike and it was great to see the young freshman take that moment."

In the second half, the Western Michigan defensive unit was steady, disallowing any Falcons shots to preserve the shutout victory. For the game, WMU outshot BGSU 9-7 and held a 3-2 advantage in corner kicks. 

"We were spot on in the second half," Wiseman commented. "We played with more fight, were aware of the dangerous players, and committed to the shutout."

The Broncos (11-5-3) will await the winner of No. 1 seed West Virginia and No. 4 seed Akron to see who they will face in the MAC Championship at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 11. 

Western Michigan will be in search of its second MAC Championship in program history, with its first coming in 2003. Last season, WMU hosted the MAC Championship and was defeated by Akron, 3-1.