KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Western Michigan women's soccer team exploded for four goals in the second half to down rival Eastern Michigan at Waldo Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
 
Sophomore forward Suzuna Shibukawa and freshman midfielder Kayla Whelchel each scored a pair of goals in the win. Freshman forward Jenna Blackburn had two assists and Shibukawa also added an assist for a five-point day. Redshirt junior goalkeeper Hannah Sargent made five saves before being subbed off due to injury. Senior Maggie Rogers helped complete the shutout by making three more saves, with Sargent getting credited for her second victory of the season.
 
"Again, this was a complete team win today," said head coach Sammy Boateng. "Our back line was well disciplined, our midfielders worked well together and our front four were dangerous in certain moments."
 
It was the Eagles that applied the pressure in the first half, outshooting the Broncos (2-0-0, 2-0-0 MAC) 11-6 overall and 5-1 in shots on goal.
 
"Credit to Eastern, they were aggressive and created opportunities in the first half," said Boateng. "We made a few adjustments at halftime and the team responded."
 
Shibukawa scored her first of two straight goals in the 47th minute. The Broncos got the ball to start the second half and quickly pressured EMU. WMU won a corner Kick and Blackburn placed the corner in the middle of the box and Shibukawa headed it into the net from 12 yards out for her first goal of the season and second of her career. Blackburn picked up her first collegiate point on the assist.
 
The Hyogo, Japan, native put the Broncos up 2-0 in the 56th minute. Morgan Otteson was fouled just outside the box and Shibukawa stepped up for the free kick. The fired a low shot around EMU's wall and slotted the ball into the bottom-right corner of the net.
 
Just minutes later Whelchel's first collegiate goal pushed the lead to 3-0. Blackburn lofted a free kick into the EMU box. Shibukawa attempted to head it in but it bounced off the cross bar and out into the box. Whelchel came forward and headed it into the net from eight yards out, with Shibukawa and Blackburn picking up assists.
 
She added her second in the 68th minute to push the score line to 4-0. Katie Schumacher had advanced forward from her right back position and had the puck outside the right side of the box. She tried to cross it into the middle but it was deflected out by an Eagle defender. The freshman midfielder pounced on the loose ball and kicked it into the net.
 
"Suzuna made a huge impact on the game," Boateng added. "She has been working hard at practice and it came out on the field today. Kayla also came in and helped change the game in a positive way. Jenna's services into the box were very dangerous. Everyone on the field at each moment did their job."
 
Western Michigan is on the road next week, traveling to Muncie, Ind., to take on Ball State on Friday at 2 p.m.