LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Western Michigan men's soccer team advanced to the Second Round of the NCAA National Tournament with a 2-1 double-overtime victory over the Cardinals of Louisville at Dr. Mark & Cindy Lynn Stadium on Thursday, Nov. 17.
The Broncos (15-2-2) picked up goals from senior forwards
Dylan Sing and
Charlie Sharp, while
Mike Melaragni tallied two assists and
Jonathan Robinson one. Graduate transfer
Hunter Morse made eight saves to hold the Cardinals to one goal on the day. WMU outshot LOU 20-17 overall and they went 8-9 in shots on goal.
'What a performance from the boys. From the opening whistle we were very impressive," Head Coach
Chad Wiseman said.
"Louisville is a really talented team. To get a win on the road in the ACC, that is our programs first road win, that's our programs first ACC win."
Western Michigan and Louisville proved to be a good matchup, going scoreless in the first half. The Broncos outshot the Cardinals 11-4 in the first with a 5-1 advantage in corners.
"We made it more of a MAC game than more of an ACC game. I thought we had the better of the ball and certainly the better of the chances," Coach Wiseman added.
Dylan Sing netted the game-winning goal in the 60th minute giving the Broncos the 1-0 lead. Robinson connected a ball from the left flank to the feet of Sharp in the final third, who was able to find Robinson back on the end line just inside the 18-yard box. Sing left his feet to finish the perfectly slotted ball across the six-yard box and then it was off to the corner for an immense team celebration.
Louisville scored the equalizer in the 82nd minute when the Cardinals were awarded a penalty kick after a handball was called on WMU. The penalty was taken and converted by LOU's Aboubacar Camara, tying the match 1-1.
The Broncos and Cardinals remained at a 1-1 draw at the end of regulation time. Heading into the first 10 minutes of overtime WMU hit the ground running.
Charlie Sharp added the goal to put the Broncos ahead in the 92nd minute. A ball served by Robinson into the 18-yard box from the left flank met the foot of Sing. Sing chested the ball down to the feet of Melaragni who flicked it just behind the Cardinal defense to Sharp. Sharp netted the 2-1 lead low off the far post.
"Morse wasn't called on a lot, there were two or three times where he had saves that I am not sure any other keeper in the country can make," Coach Wiseman said.
Western Michigan held the lead throughout the second overtime, while Morse contributed one more save for the Broncos to prevail over Louisville.
"It was a great day for Bronco soccer. I am very proud of them, of course," Coach Wiseman added.
"We will enjoy this for a quick second. We are going to start singing some music as we are going to the music city down in Nashville."
Up next, Western Michigan heads to No. 9 Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tn. on Sunday, Nov. 20 for the Second Round of the NCAA National Tournament. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m.
