KALAMAZOO, Mich. - The Western Michigan women's soccer team scored a minute and a half into overtime to claim a 1-0 victory over the University of Akron during the 2018 Mid-American Conference opener Friday, Sept. 21 at WMU Soccer Complex. 

After 90 minutes of play, neither team found the back of the net despite WMU holding an 18-8 shot advantage over the visiting Zips. However, it took the home team just a minute and 35 seconds into the overtime frame to capitalize on just their second corner kick of the match. 

Freshman midfielder Victoria Kyriakopoulos finished on the Grace Labadie corner kick for the game-winning goal, an exciting tally for her first in Brown & Gold. 

"It was definitely awesome for my first goal," said Kyriakopoulos. "It was kind of frustrating because so many people had close chances all game, so it was good to finally put one away in the back of the net."

Western Michigan maintained the majority of scoring opportunities throughout the first two periods, headlined by a season-high seven shots from Alyssa Burke and a quality chance in the final minute of regulation in which Grace Labadie had a great look inside the box but had shots blocked and saved. 

"They are a pretty relentless group, so we were confident going into overtime that something was eventually going to fall our way," said head coach Sarah Stanczyk.  

Goalkeeper Hannah Sargent improved her record to 7-2 on the season while recording her second shutout. The Bronco defense made her job easy, disallowing any Akron shots on goal. 

The Broncos (7-2-0, 1-0-0 MAC) continue conference play this Sunday, Sept. 23 at WMU Soccer Complex as they host Buffalo at 1 p.m.