KENT, Ohio – The Western Michigan women's soccer team pushed its unbeaten streak to nine games on Thursday night by defeating Kent State, 2-0, at Dix Stadium. The win moved the Broncos into sole possession of first place in the Mid-American Conference with two games left to play in the regular season. WMU has also clinched a berth in the MAC Tournament. 

"Really proud of the team performance tonight in a very difficult place to come and play," head coach Lewis Robinson said. "The defensive concentration and intensity was fantastic from start to finish which is always our priority. Offensively, it is great to see things improving as the players have been working very hard! We are really looking forward to Sunday and getting back out there for our seniors against Buffalo with a lot to play for!"

FIRST HALF
The Brown and Gold controlled the ball well in the opening minutes of the game, but it was the Golden Flashes that would get the first couple looks on net. Boafo made a pair of saves in the opening 15 minutes of the match to keep the score all square at 0-0.

In the 16th minute, Madi Canada fired WMU's first shot, but it sailed over the crossbar. After a Kent State foul, Jenna Blackburn took the ball down the right sideline and crossed a pass into the box, which found the foot of Heidi Thomasma. Thomasma was able to chip the ball by the keeper, giving the Broncos a 1-0 lead in the 26th minute. 

About two minutes later, Blackburn had a great individual effort, taking the ball from about midfield and advancing it to just outside the box. From there, she ripped a shot inside the left post to give WMU a 2-0 advantage in the 28th minute. 

As the half ticked down, Jaden Peck and Canada would get two more shots for the Broncos, but nothing would come of the chances. WMU would carry a two-goal lead into the final 45 minutes of play. 

SECOND HALF
Thomasma nearly netted the Broncos' third goal of the game on a header off of a free kick. The attempt went just over the crossbar in the opening minutes of the second half. Moments later, Jen Blitchok had a shot saved by a diving Sarah Melen to keep the score 2-0 in favor of WMU. 

Later in the half, Stephanie Currie and Peck had back-to-back shots, but Melen and the KSU defense were there to stop the WMU offense. Moments later, a trio of Bronco corner kicks ended with a shot from Blackburn that missed on the top right side of the goal. 

A couple minutes later, another WMU corner kick led to a good look from Emily Pagett. However, Melen was able to make another save, keeping the score at 2-0 in favor of the visitors. In the 79th minute, Currie blasted a shot on net that Melen was again able to save. 

In the final 10 minutes, Pagett would get one final shot for the Broncos, and WMU would close out a 2-0 victory. On the night, WMU led in shots (16-8), shots on goal (7-3) and corner kicks (9-0). 

UP NEXT
WMU will return home for senior day on Sunday, Oct. 22. The Broncos will host Buffalo, and the game will begin at 1 p.m. at the WMU Soccer Complex.