Men's Soccer | August 26, 2019

NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Sophomore forward Mike Melaragni scored in the 34th minute to push the Western Michigan men's soccer team to a 1-1 tie at No. 9 Notre Dame on Monday in the final exhibition contest for both clubs. Freshman Max Keenan tallied the assist as the Broncos came back from an early 1-0 deficit.
 
In the opening half, the Fighting Irish controlled play early on and struck first with a goal from Jack Lynn at the 20:04 mark. A Bronco turnover set the table for Notre Dame's goal as Aiden McFadden had the assist. The tally was the first against Western Michigan this preseason.
 
The Broncos trailed for all of 13 minutes and two seconds before Melaragni and Keenan connected for the tying strike off a set piece.
 
The teams went scoreless during the second half to cap exhibition play.
 
"I thought we were very good in the second half," Western Michigan head coach Chad Wiseman said. "I thought we carried the run of play, created the better of the chances and disrupted what they wanted to do."
 
Redshirt freshman Isaac Walker went the first half in goal for the Broncos and was credited with two saves while sophomore Lukas Von Lienen came in for the second stanza and made one save. For the Fighting Irish, Duncan Turnbull went the distance and registered one save.
 
"At the end of the day, this exhibition tells us we're ready for the regular season," Wiseman added.
 
The Broncos officially kick off the 2019 campaign Friday at Butler with a 7 p.m. start.
 
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