KALAMAZOO, Mich. - The No. 8/14-ranked Western Michigan men's soccer team defeated Loyola University Chicago 2-0 Friday evening during the 2018 season opener at WMU Soccer Complex.

The Broncos outshot the Ramblers 10-5, owned a 7-3 corner kick advantage, and allowed just one shot on goal. Kosti Moni and Cameron Sipple notched the first Bronco goals of the season, while goalkeeper Elijah Michaels picked up his second career shutout.

"I thought our effort was outstanding," said Head Coach Chad Wiseman, who tallied his fourth consecutive season-opening win. "Our ability to compete for 90 minutes was great for the first game."

The two teams were scoreless after the first half, while WMU held a 5-0 advantage in corners and did not allow a Rambler shot on goal. Quality chances in the first 45' included a Giuseppe Vitale shot off the post and a nice shot attempt from just outside the box from Donovan Michael.

The Broncos didn't waste anytime after the break, as Moni delivered the first Western Michigan goal of the season on a penalty kick just under five minutes into the second frame. A Loyola foul inside of the box during a Tommy Clark corner kick gave the Broncos the chance.

The Ramblers' Tucker Stephenson received his second yellow card at the 67th minute, forcing the visitors to go down a man, in which WMU would take advantage of soon after. A great shot by Sipple from the right corner of the 18-yard box gave the Brown & Gold the two-goal cushion. Mike Melaragni and Vitale were credited with assists, Melaragni's first collegiate point. 

Loyola's greatest chance of the game came at the 63rd minute, where a nice header off a corner was saved nicely by Michaels. Following the Rambler red card, the Broncos limited them to just one shot to close out the match. 

"In the run of play we were excellent defensively," Wiseman commented. "I don't think Loyola generated any good chances. We were a little careless on some defensive fouls and have to be better there. Our attack has lots of room to get better, but we generated four or five great scoring chances, won some set pieces in dangerous areas and found a couple goals. Every team in the country wants to start the season 1-0. We did what was needed to for the win."

Western Michigan, 1-0-0, returns to action on Monday, Aug. 27 for its first road matchup of the season, traveling to DePaul University for a 4:00 p.m. (EST) kickoff.