KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The No. 8/14-ranked Western Michigan men's soccer team (1-0-0) travels to Chicago, Ill. Monday, Aug. 27 for its first road match of the 2018 campaign, facing DePaul University at 4 p.m. (EST).

Last time out
The Broncos opened the 2018 season at WMU Soccer Complex on Friday, defeating Loyola University Chicago by a score of 2-0. It marked the fourth consecutive season-opening victory for Western Michigan. 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.

Western Michigan finished the preseason schedule 1-0-1, beginning with a 1-1 draw at Michigan State University Aug. 13 followed by a 3-0 win at Valparaiso University Aug. 16.

In the polls
The United Soccer Coaches Division I preseason poll, released Aug. 7, had the Broncos ranked No. 14 in the nation. WMU was also ranked No. 8 by Top Drawer Soccer and came in at No. 14 in the College Soccer News Top 30 poll. In the MAC preseason poll, Western Michigan was projected to finish second while receiving one vote to capture the regular season crown. Akron, the reigning MAC Tournament champions, was selected to finish first in the conference standings.  

Series History
Sunday's match will mark the fifth all-time meeting between the Western Michigan and DePaul men's soccer programs, with the Broncos holding a 3-0-1 advantage in the series. The two teams last met during the 2014 season in Chicago, with WMU prevailing 1-0. The Broncos and Blue Demons also met in an exhibition match last season, in which Western Michigan edged DePaul 4-2 in penalty kicks after a 1-1 score in regulation time.

Scouting DePaul
The Blue Demons fell 1-0 in their season opener at the University of Kentucky Friday evening. DePaul was selected to finish 10^th in the Big East Preseason Coaches' Poll and is coming off a 6-11-3 overall record in 2017. They return five starters from last year's squad and entered 2018 with a brand new head coach, Mark Plotkin.

Bronco Notables

• Friday's win marked the fourth-straight season-opening victory for Western Michigan.
• 2017 Michigan Mr. Soccer Mike Melaragni recorded an assist in his first collegiate appearance on Friday.
• In his second career start, goalkeeper Elijah Michaels earned his second career shutout, tallying one save versus Loyola.
• Senior midfielder Cameron Sipple, who was left out of the goal-scoring column in 2017 despite appearing in all 22 games, scored his third career goal during Friday's season opener. 
• Kosti Moni notched the first Bronco goal of 2018, on a penalty kick. He also scored in last year's season opener versus LIU Brooklyn.