After a long break due to COVID-19 and an abbreviated 2020-21 season that was played in the Spring of 2021, the Western Michigan women's soccer team returns to action on Thursday night as it opens the 2021 season at Louisville at 7:35 p.m.
 
The game can be seen live on the ACC Network Extra. This is just the second meeting between the two programs. The first came back on Sept. 12, 1998 in Louisville, resulting in a 1-1 tie.
 
The Broncos return a veteran team, including fifth-year seniors Bailey Korhorn, Hannah Redoute and Maggie Rogers. The trio were granted an additional year due to COVID-19.
 
"It's great to have those three back," said second-year head coach Sammy Boateng. "Their experience in different environments is going to help our team this year as we have a very challenging non-conference schedule. They've played in the MAC for four years now and they know the grind of the conference."
 
WMU returns 12 of its 15 goals scored from last season's team that went 6-2-2, narrowly missing out on a berth to the MAC Championship game. Korhorn led the team with five tallies in the 10 games, also producing one assist for a team-high 11 points. Second Team All-MAC selection Morgan Otteson returns for her senior season after totaling eight points on two goals and finished tied for the team lead with four assists. Sophomore midfielder Kayla Whelchel had two goals in her first season, while Redoute, All-MAC defender Claudia Schilling and Claudia Schilling each had one.
 
Dahl's emergence at centerback, along with freshman Lexi Nickole solidified WMU's defense that allowed just eight goals in 10 games, while recording four shutouts. Dahl led the team in minutes playing in all 940 on the season with Nickole just behind her at 917. Schilling turned in 865 minutes of work as the defensive midfielder, helping jumpstart the Bronco attack from deep. Rogers started four games in net and led the team with 31 saves, helping produce three of the team's four shutouts. 
 
"This year we have a multitude of players that could burst onto the scene for us," Boateng added. "Madi Salzenstein has done well so far. Reagan Wisser has improved a lot after her injury. Katie Schumacher has made a case for herself in the right back position too."
 
The Broncos saw a lot of freshmen worked into the lineup and off the bench last season, with seven playing in at least four games. Winger Jenna Blackburn played in all six games and finished the season tied with Otteson for the team lead in assists. Schumacher made seven starts, while Morgan Parker made six and played in nine of the 10 games.
 
"For us, competition is in the fabric of genes," said Boateng. "Those freshmen last year earned their playing time. We already have a few freshmen making a name for themselves in the preseason. For us at Western Michigan, we recruit players that will be able to have an impact right away. We feel this year's freshmen class makes us even deeper from one side of the field to the other."
 
Western Michigan's regular season home opener is on Sunday at 2 p.m. against the Detroit Mercy Titans. Prior to the start of the game the Broncos will take time to honor their senior class of Otteson, Schilling, Dahl, Kai Sugiyama, and Victoria Kyriakopolous. Admission to all WMU women's soccer games is free. The game will also be streamed live at www.wmubroncos.com/watch.