KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The No. 10/16-ranked Western Michigan men's soccer team (1-1-0) returns to WMU Soccer Complex on Thursday, Aug. 30 to host No. 9/11-ranked Butler University. Kickoff is scheduled for 5 p.m.

Last time out
The Broncos suffered their first loss of the 2018 season at DePaul University Monday, Aug. 27, upset 1-0 versus the Blue Demons. Despite leading 9-8 in shots, 5-2 in shots on goal, and 5-3 in corner kick opportunities, a Blue Demon goal at the 69^thminute led to the first DePaul victory over Western Michigan in program history to move the all-time series to 3-1-1 in WMU's favor.

In the polls
Ranked No. 14 in the United Soccer Coaches Division I preseason poll, the Broncos fell two spots after opening the 2018 slate 1-1. They rank No. 16 in the Week 1 National Poll that was released Aug. 28. WMU recently improved from No. 14 to No. 11 in the College Soccer News Top 30 poll and dropped from No. 8 to No. 10 in the latest Top Drawer Soccer Top 30 poll. 

Series History
Thursday's match will mark the fourth all-time meeting between the Western Michigan and Butler men's soccer programs, with the Broncos holding a 2-1-0 advantage in the series. The two teams last met a season ago in Indianapolis, Ind., with the Broncos defeating the No. 21-ranked Bulldogs 3-2. The win marked the first WMU win against a top-25 opponent since a 2014 victory at No. 19 Akron. After going down a goal, the Broncos surged back with three unanswered goals in the first half, scored by Jake Rufe, Brandon Bye, and Anthony Bowie. 

Scouting Butler
The reigning Big East regular season champions were most recently upset 2-1 against Drake University on Monday, Aug. 27. During their season opener on Aug. 24, the Bulldogs battled No. 4-ranked Akron to a 2-2 draw.

Butler was picked to finish second in the Big East Preseason Coaches' Poll, while receiving three first place votes. Junior forward Brandon Guhl was voted Preseason Offensive Player of the Year and was selected to the MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List. 

Coming off a 14-5-2 overall record in 2017, the Bulldogs have made two consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances. Their postseason run ended last season in the third round as they fell 2-0 against No. 1-ranked Wake Forest. 

Bronco Notables

• The Broncos' season-opening 2-0 win over Loyola Chicago Aug. 24 marked the fourth-straight season-opening victory for Western Michigan.
• The shutout loss at DePaul marked the first time Western Michigan was held scoreless since a 1-0 loss against No. 6 Michigan State Oct. 4, 2017. It was also the first loss against the Blue Demons in the all-time series. 
• Thursday's match will mark the fourth top-10 matchup at WMU Soccer Complex since last year.