KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Western Michigan men's soccer team opened Mid-American Conference play with an emphatic 3-0 win over Northern Illinois at the WMU Soccer Complex on Friday afternoon, extending its winning streak to six games.
 
Three different Broncos (6-1, 1-0 MAC) scored, while Hunter Morse made four saves to earn his fifth shutout of the season. Six different players went the full 90 minutes the day.
 
"What a great way to open MAC play," said head coach Chad Wiseman. "The first 45 minutes were electric. Our pressing was on point and what we did with the ball was outstanding. It was also nice to see all  of our alumni in town and the facility looked great."
 
All three of WMU's goals came within eight minutes of each other, starting with Eric Conerty's first of the season in the 18th minute. NIU tried to clear the ball out of the box and Conerty intercepted it, settled it and fired a strike off his right foot from 30-yards out. The ball banged off the left post and into the net to give Western Michigan a 1-0 lead.

 

GOAL BRONCOS!!!!!

Eric Conerty from DEEEP to put the Broncos ahead 1-0! pic.twitter.com/EHOoUD7jgC

— WMU Men's Soccer (@WMUMensSoccer) September 23, 2022

 
"Eric's goal was an absolute bomb," said Wiseman. "That kid is playing at another level right now and I'm super proud of the senior year he is putting together.
 
Conerty was a part of the second goal, serving a corner kick into the box in the 22nd minute that was headed in by centerback Daniel Nimick, his second goal of the season, to push the lead to 2-0.
 

GOAAAAL BRONCOS!!!

Minutes later Conerty serves it in on a corner and Daniel Nimick heads it in!

2-0 Broncos! pic.twitter.com/4uR2s4OiUD

— WMU Men's Soccer (@WMUMensSoccer) September 23, 2022

 
The Broncos kept the pressure up and just four minutes later Mike Melaragni tallied for the first time of the season. Matt Lockwood played the ball to Charlie Sharp down the right flank of the box. Sharp crossed it into the middle and Melaragni redirected it into the net to push ahead 3-0.
 

Big Mike is on the board!!!! Mike Melaragni makes it 3-0 in the first half with his first goal of the season!#BroncosReign pic.twitter.com/m3yuQuIMXl

— WMU Men's Soccer (@WMUMensSoccer) September 23, 2022

 
WMU allowed just two shots in the second half and five total in the game.
 
"I thought Daniel and Jaylen (Shannon) were impressive today," said Wiseman on the play of his starting centerbacks. "Their command of the field, range of passing and the physical play they showed today was impressive."
 
The Broncos now head on the road to take on defending MAC Champions Bowling Green on Tuesday at 7 p.m.