KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Western Michigan women's soccer team picked up a crucial late-season win, defeating Akron 3-1 at the WMU Soccer Complex on Thursday afternoon.
 
The Broncos improved to 4-3-2 in Mid-American Conference play, keeping their hopes alive of making the top four and a trip to the MAC Tournament. WMU picked up goals from Jaden Peck, Jenna Blackburn and Heidi Thomasma, while Hannah Sargent made five saves in the victory. Western Michigan outshot Akron 25-9 overall and 14-6 on goal.
 
WMU struck early on Peck's first goal as a Bronco. The Minnesota transfer was positioned in the middle of the box and Mira Pierre-Webster sent a low cross to her and she slotted it into the back of the net in the 19th minute. Pierre-Webster tallied her team-leading third assist of the season on the goal.
 
The Zips responded with a goal in the 26th minute after Sarah Nguyen finished off a pass from Ella Hadley to tie it up at 1-1.
 
WMU kept the pressure on in the second half and finally broke through in the 76th minute when Blackburn used her left foot to put one into the low-right corner of the net from just outside the box. The game-winning goal was her fourth tally of the season.
 
Just under two minutes later Thomasma scored her first collegiate goal to push the lead to 3-1. Blackburn tried to cross the ball into the box but her attempt was cleared out. Thomasma settled it and fired it from 23-yards out and into the net to seal the win.
 
The Broncos have two games left to improve their position in the MAC standings. WMU heads to Ohio on Sunday for a 1 p.m. kickoff and then wraps up the season at Northern Illinois next Thursday.