PORTLAND, Ore. – The Western Michigan Men's Soccer team's historic season came to an end in the NCCA Sweet Sixteen, falling to the University of Portland, 1-0, Saturday night at Merlo Field at the Clive Charles Soccer Complex.
The Broncos finished the season with a 16-3-2 record, earning second in program history for season wins.
Saturday's match played to a defense stalemate through the first 45 minutes, but not without both teams having scoring opportunities.
Graduate transfer
Hunter Morse proved his national ranking in the 12th minute with his biggest save of the match. A penalty kick issued to the Pilots led to a low-right post shot which was anticipated and punched out by Morse.
The Broncos held the advantage in shots in the first half, leading 7-3 in the shot column. However, George Tasouris and the Pilot defense proved themselves, with Tasouris making three total saves.
The lone goal of the contest came off the head of junior defender Delentz Pierre who scored his second goal of the season in the 59th minute. The lone score held in the 1-0 game.
Western Michigan generated an 11-9 advantage in shots on the Portland keeper,
Charlie Sharp with five,
Tanner Hodgson and
Daniel Nimick added two, and
Jonathan Robinson and
Eric Conerty each tallied one. Morse made seven saves on the day.
With the win, the Pilots (15-2-3) advance to face the winner of No. 1 Kentucky and Pittsburgh matchup in the NCAA Quarterfinals.
WMU reached unprecedented success in 2022, winning its second and last-ever Mid-American Conference Championship. The Broncos made their third NCAA appearance and second Sweet Sixteen appearance while recording a new program record for consecutive wins with nine and total points with 143 points. Western Michigan closed its season as one of the top-ranked defenses in the nation. WMU ranked first nationally in goals-against-average (.445 per game), first in save percentage (.888), second in goal differential (33), and second in win-loss-tie percentage (.850).
