Game 8
Western Michigan vs Illinois Chicago
Saturday, September 28 l 4 p.m.
Kalamazoo, Mich. | WMU Soccer Complex
Live Stats | Twitter
 
Game 9
Western Michigan at Xavier
Tuesday, October 1 l 7 p.m.
Cincinnati, Ohio | XU Soccer Complex
Watch Live | Live Stats | Twitter
 
Illinois Chicago Series History
The Broncos and the Flames have played 11 times previously, with the series tied at 5-5-1. UIC has won the last two meetings, including a 1-0 victory in Chicago last season.

Scouting the Flames
Illinois Chicago has started its 2019 campaign with an overall mark of 6-2 and are currently receiving votes in the United Soccer Coaches top 25 national rankings. The Flames are the defending Horizon League tournament champions and lead their conference with an average of 2.5 goals per game.

Sophomore forward Bar Hazut is tied for fifth in Division I with seven goals on the year. Reigning Horizon League Player of the Year Jesus Perez has recorded five assists through eight contests to lead the Flames in that category.
 
Xavier Series History
The Musketeers lead the all-time series 2-1-1 against the Broncos. Western Michigan defeated Xavier for the first time last season in overtime at the WMU Soccer Complex.

Scouting the Musketeers
Xavier was picked to finish fifth in the Big East preseason poll and have started 2019 4-2-1 overall, which included a 1-0 win at IUPUI on Tuesday. The Musketeers are featured in the latest United Soccer Coaches East Region poll.

All-conference preseason selection Samson Sergi and freshman forward Karsen Henderlong lead the Big East in goals with five each. Senior goalkeeper Matthew Rosenberg is ranked eighth in the nation with 36 total saves in seven games played.
 
Big Win Against the Big Ten
Western Michigan defeated Michigan State last Friday for the third time in program history and the first time since 10/10/1993. Freshman midfielder Charlie Sharp scored the lone goal of the match in the first half at the DeMartin Soccer Complex in East Lansing. It was also the Broncos first victory against a Big Ten opponent in two years, when they defeated Michigan in 2017.
 
Freshman Class is Proving its Depth
Four freshman have earned points for the Broncos this season, including midfielder Max Keenan, who has recorded four assists in his last four matches. The Kalamazoo native now leads Western Michigan in that category, passing another freshman in Brennan Creek.  
 
Lock Down Defense
The Broncos have been outstanding on defense in their last six games, allowing just three total goals with three shutout victories in the process. Western Michigan is averaging less than one goal against per game to lead the Mid-American Conference.

Up Next
Western Michigan will host Loyola Marymount on Sunday, October 6 at 1 p.m. for Alumni Weekend. 

#WeWillReign