DEKALB, Ill. - After a long wait, the Western Michigan women's soccer team opened the 2020-21 season with a 1-0 win at Northern Illinois on Wednesday afternoon.
 
The game was tied at 0-0 heading into the final 10 minutes when junior forward Morgan Otteson broke up a pass. Freshman Cas Flanagan corralled the loose ball and played it between two NIU defenders for senior midfielder Baily Korhorn. Korhorn trapped the ball and composed herself before slotting the ball into the net from just inside the 18-yard box for WMU' first goal of the season.
 
The Broncos outshot the Huskies 10-6 overall on the day. Junior goalkeeper Hannah Sargent needed to make just three saves on the day to earn her first victory and clean sheet of the season.
 
"Today was an exciting one for the team," said head coach Sammy Boateng. "After 16 months without playing an official game it felt great to be able to compete. We started the game really well and created some good opportunities but didn't capitalize on the final ball well enough."
 
Korhorn led the Broncos with six shots on the day, landing all of them on goal. WMU's back line of Emily Dahl, Lexi Nickole, Mary Claire Burnett and Katie Schuemacher all went the full 90.
 
"Overall, this was a team victory," Boateng added. "We have a lot of depth this year and this will be our strength. Everyone did their job and we capitalized on our opportunity today."
 
Western Michigan returns to Kalamazoo to host Eastern Michigan on Sunday at 2 p.m. at Waldo Stadium.