KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Western Michigan women's soccer team opened the 2022 season with 2-2 tie against Valparaiso in an exhibition match at the WMU Soccer Complex on Saturday afternoon.
 
Junior forward Jenna Blackburn tallied both goals of the Broncos and had a game-high five total shots. Lauren Boafo started the game and made a team-high three saves. Shots finished at 11-11, with WMU having a 6-5 advantage in shots on goal.
 
"It was a great test for us to end our first week together with a challenging opponent like Valpo today," said first-year head coach Lewis Robinson. "We were able to highlight some important areas of the ways we plan to defend and attack and start to implement them in the game. We leave the game disappointed that we didn't manage to get the win, but with a lot of good learning opportunities for our group moving forward as we get back to training this week. Overall it was great to be home in Kalamazoo and we can't wait to get back here."
 
Blackburn gave Western Michigan an early 1-0 lead with a goal in the 12th minute. The Grand Blanc, Mich., native curled in a shot from just outside the box and into the left corner of the net.
 
She pushed the lead to 2-0 with a goal in the 27th minute. Blackburn got the ball near midfield and dribbled through and past the VALPO defenders, ending up one-on-one with the goalkeeper. Blackburn took the ball to her right and slotted it into the left corner of the net for her second of the day.
 
Just 56 seconds later, the Beacons cut the lead in half on a goal by Addy Joiner from inside the box. Valparaiso then tied it up in the second half in the 67th minute when Emma Morrison's corner kick deflected off of a Bronco and ended up in the back of the net.
 
Western Michigan wraps up its preseason with its final exhibition game at Wright State on Thursday at 3 p.m.