KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Western Michigan men's soccer team is set to face No. 12 Akron University for the third time this season on Saturday, Nov. 12 with a chance to win the 2022 Mid-American Conference Tournament Championship in Akron, Ohio. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. at FirstEnergy Stadium with the match being broadcasted on ESPN+. A win would secure WMU's second-ever Mid-American Conference Tournament Championship, and an automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament.
WMU MAC CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY
Dating back to 1994, Western Michigan is 11-23-4 all-time at the Mid-American Conference Tournament, while advancing three times in penalty kicks. The last appearance for the Broncos was the 2017 season. WMU hosted the MAC Tournament and advanced to the conference championship contest for the first time since 2013. The Broncos won their first-ever MAC Championship in 2003 with a 5-0 win over Bowling Green. The Broncos will be appearing in their eighth MAC Championship game in program history. WMU is 1-6 all-time in MAC Championship games, with five of those matches coming against Akron.
2018: 3-0 L vs. Akron
2017: 3-1 L vs. Akron
2013: 4-1 L vs. Akron
2011: 1-0 L vs. Northern Illinois
2010: 4-0 L vs. Akron
2004: 6-1 L vs. Akron
2003: 5-0 W vs. Bowling Green
LAST TIME AROUND
Western Michigan (13-2-2 overall, 5-1-2 MAC) looks to add another win to a streak of five games without a loss (4-0-1) after its previous 1-1 draw with Akron. The Zips opened the scoring in the second minute with a set-piece header from their leading scorer, Jason Shokalook. It took until the 55th minute for the Broncos to respond, as Eric Conerty assisted an incredible left-footed strike from defender Jonathan Robinson to level the game at 1-1. Graduate transfer Hunter Morse displayed heroic efforts denying the Zips another goal, as he led the game with seven saves.
ZOOMING IN ON THE ZIPS
Akron comes into the MAC Championship Saturday with an overall record of 11-2-5, as well as a 5-0-3 record in the MAC, all while maintaining a current streak of 10 games without a loss (7-0-3). Jason Shokalook leads the scoring with a team-high nine goals and is followed closely by Dyson Clapier (7) and Ryan Kingsford (5). Wan Kuzri Wan Kamal and Clapier lead the team in assists with seven each. The Zips have recorded 47 goals, 241 shots, 115 shots on goal and conceded 17 goals in 18 games this season.
