KALAMAZOO, Mich. - The Western Michigan men's soccer team earned its third consecutive victory with a 2-0 shutout over the University of Maryland, Baltimore County on Saturday, Sept. 15 at WMU Soccer Complex.
The Broncos improve their overall record to 4-4 on the season while tallying at least two goals for a fourth-straight game.
"A complete 90-minute performance today from the men," said head coach
Chad Wiseman. "I am very proud of them. Our leaders are really starting to step up, it is great to see."
A fairly even first 45 minutes left the scoreboard reading 0-0 heading into the break. WMU held a slight advantage in both shots (7-6) and corner kicks (7-3).
At the 53rd minute mark of the second half, the Broncos had created their best chance of the game, with a penalty kick. A
Kosti Moni shot inside the UMBC box was blocked with a handball to force the PK. Moni, who scored twice already previously on PK's, was robbed by UMBC goalkeeper Ciaran O'Loughlin to keep the score at 0-0.
In the final 12 minutes, Western Michigan scored twice, four minutes apart. WMU got on the board at 78' as
Zack Shane capitalized with his first collegiate goal.
Paul Liagre and
Jake DeJulio received the assists.
Soon after, the home team put together a great play to go up 2-0.
Anthony Bowie received a pass from Shane prior to tapping ahead a nice ball to
Tommy Clark past the UMBC defense, who then chipped the ball over the keeper for his first goal of the season. Shane's goal and assist stands as a season-high three-point game.
"Congratulations to Zack on his first Bronco goal, and to Lucas for his first shutout. UMBC is a solid team and they really compete. That is a great win for us at home," Wiseman concluded.
Making his fifth-straight start in net, freshman goalkeeper
Lukas Von Lienen improved his record to 3-1 while earning his first collegiate shutout. The Bronco defensive unit can take some credit, limiting the Retrievers to just one shot on goal.
Up next, Western Michigan heads to the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay on Wednesday, Sept. 19. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. (ET).
