ROCHESTER, Mich. - The Western Michigan men's soccer team won its third consecutive match, defeating Oakland 3-2 at the OU Soccer Complex in Rochester, Mich., improving to 7-4 overall. The Broncos used a strong opening 45 minutes to earn the non-conference victory, scoring three or more goals for the third time in a half this season.
"A win on the road in college soccer is a good win," WMU head coach
Chad Wiseman said. "Three goals in the first 27 minutes is awesome. They were great goals, too. We conceded late in the game and Oakland was able to add a second goal to make things very interesting. We grabbed the game back, though, and made sure to secure the result. I am thankful for the Bronco supporters who attended today. It felt almost like a home game with all our supporters!"
Western Michigan wasted no time getting on the scoreboard, as sophomore forward, and Rochester native,
Mike Melaragni headed a ball into the back of the net off a free kick from senior defender
Paul Liagre less than two minutes into the contest.
Freshman midfielder
Brennan Creek gave his team a two-goal advantage in the 17th minute, scoring his third of the year. Senior captain
Giuseppe Vitale collected the assist on the play.
The third goal for Broncos came via the foot of freshman midfielder
Charlie Sharp, who found a wide open net in front of him following an outstanding pass from sophomore forward
Eric Conerty. Sharp now ranks second on his team with four goals on the season.
"We had that set piece right off the training grounds to get it started," Wiseman added. "Brennan had a great finish off a four-man combination. The least goal really showed our explosiveness to get in behind."
Oakland made a strong comeback effort in the second half, scoring twice in a period of three minutes, but Western Michigan held on for the one-goal victory.
Redshirt freshman goalkeeper
Isaac Walker made two saves on the evening to pick up his fifth win of the 2019 campaign. Melaragni led the Broncos with three shots in his return to his hometown.
Western Michigan will open Mid-American Conference play this Sunday at West Virginia with a 1 p.m. start.
#WeWillReign
