Women's Soccer | September 06, 2019
KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Western Michigan women's soccer team heads out west to Colorado to take on Colorado College on Friday at 9 p.m. and then Air Force on Sunday at 2 p.m. Friday's game will be streamed live for free at www.CCTigers.com
LAST WEEK
The Broncos (1-2) dropped their regular season home-opener, 2-1, to Notre Dame last Thursday but rebounded on Sunday with a 1-0 win at Cincinnati.
Against the Fighting Irish, WMU took a lead in the 34th minute on a goal by Morgan Otteson. The Broncos held the lead through the first half but gave up the game-tying goal early in the second half and then the game-winner midway through.
Western Michigan earned its first win of the season at the Bearcats on Sunday. Once again, Otteson scored the team's lone goal. This time the sophomore pressed and forced a turnover on the Cincinnati back line and converted the opportunity for her second of the season. The 18th-minute goal stood strong as the Broncos shut down the Bearcat attack, with junior goalkeeper Maggie Rogers needed to just make two saves to earn her first career win and the shutout. The victory was also a first for interim head coach Sammy Boateng.
A WEEKEND OF FIRSTS
Both matchups against the Tigers (3-0) and the Falcons (2-1) will be the first meetings in program history between WMU and the schools.
SCOUTING THE TIGERS
Colorado College is off to a 3-0 start with wins over Texas A&M Corpus Christi, Siena College and St. Francis (PA), with all three played in Colorado Springs. Sophomore forward Jaqui Hand leads the team in goals scored with four and points, with nine. Junior midfielder Jenna Wilt has a team-high five assists to go with one goal, while Kiley Suter has a goal and four assists to round out the team's top three scorers. Abby Opperman and Molly Hiniker have split time equally between the sticks, with each playing 135 minutes in the combined three games. Opperman is 2-0-0 and has yet to give up a goal.
SCOUTING THE FALCONS
The Falcons have played the same three opponents as the Tigers, going 2-1 with the only loss being a 3-2 overtime decision against St. Francis. Freshman forward Lexi Romero leads Air Force with seven points on three assists and two goals. Her three assists are tied with Emma Nelson for the team lead, while junior Jillian Jamero leads the team with three goals. Junior Danielle Katz has played every minute between the sticks for Air Force, making nine saves and allowing three goals. The Falcons host Army on Friday.
MIGHTY MORGAN
Sophomore forward Morgan Otteson is responsible for both of WMU's goals this season, scoring against Notre Dame and the game-winner at Cincinnati. For her prowess she was named Mid-American Conference Co-Offensive Player of the Week. The Grand Rapids, Mich., native has started all three games for the Broncos this season and is coming off a freshman season that saw her tie for second on the squad with five goals.
ON THE HORIZON
Western Michigan returns home to host Oakland on Thursday, Sept. 12 at 4 p.m. and then Kansas on Sunday 1 p.m.
