AKRON, Ohio – The Western Michigan men's soccer team defeated No. 12 Akron, 2-1, at UA's First Energy Stadium on Saturday in the Mid-American Conference Championship game.
The Broncos (14-2-2) earned the MAC's automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament and claimed the program's second MAC Tournament Championship.
Charlie Sharp, Jaylen Shannon and Dylan Sing were named to the MAC All-Tournament Team, while Sharp was crowned Most Valuable Player after a goal and an assist. Jaylen Shannon netted the other goal for WMU, while Hunter Morse made just one save as the Broncos held the Zips to two shots on goal.
WMU took a very early 1-0 lead on Shannon's third goal of the season in the third minute of the game. Sharp had the ball deep in the box and passed it back to Shannon, who connected with it just outside of the box with his left foot and found the bottom-left side of the net.
The Broncos took their 1-0 lead into the second half and added to it in the 51st minute. Western Michigan earned a corner kick and Carson Hodgson served it into the box and Sharp rose above everyone to head it into the back of the net for his 10th goal of the season.
Shortly after the goal, Akron's Jason Shokalook was issued a red card, reducing them to just 10 men on the field.
The Zips cut the lead in half in the 78th minute off of a corner kick. Will Jackson served it in and Johnny Fitzgerald headed it into the net.
WMU dealt with Akron's pressure and the Zips' Dyson Clapier was issued his second yellow card of the game in the 87th minute, putting Akron down to nine players. The Broncos killed off the remaining time for the victory.
Western Michigan awaits its NCAA Tournament fate, with the NCAA Men's Soccer Tournament Selection Show scheduled for Monday at 1 p.m. on NCAA.com.
