KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- For the second consecutive year the Western Michigan men's soccer team has won its conference tournament resulting in an automatic berth in the NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Tournament. This year, behind two goals from forward captain
Charlie Sharp, the Western Michigan men's soccer team clinched an automatic berth to the 2023 NCAA tournament after defeating Missouri State 2-1.
Western Michigan would never trail throughout the entirety of the contest Saturday, as the Broncos were able to get on the board just over 12 minutes into Saturday's MVC Tournament Final. Defender
Jonathan Robinson would provide Sharp a service ball which in turn landed in the back of Missouri State's net to give the Broncos the early advantage. After the first half of play at WMU Soccer Complex, the Brown and Gold took a 1-0 lead heading into the final 45 minutes of play.
The Bears and the Broncos ramped up the offensive attack in the second half, combining for 22 strikes in the game's final 45 minutes. As the contest neared its conclusion, Sharp would strike again, providing an insurance goal for the Western Michigan in the 88th minute. With his strike, Sharp captured his fifth multi-goal game of the season--his second consecutive overall on Saturday. During the goal, Sharp's teammates
Dylan Sing and Robinson were credited with an assist each. Sing has now recorded seven assists this season, which ties his career high for assists in a campaign.
Historical Notes
Today, the men's soccer team saw its largest attendance this season with 761 fans present at WMU Soccer Complex and the most fans at home since their come-from-behind victory over Wisconsin on September 5, 2022. With their 2-1 win, the men's soccer team also continued its historic run by extending its program-best unbeaten streak to an 18th consecutive game without defeat.
For the first time in program history, the men's soccer team has won its conference regular season title and tournament title in the same season heading into the NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Tournament. Saturday's win marked the first MVC Tournament title for the Broncos, including its third overall tournament title in program history (two titles in the Mid-American Conference).
Sharp scored a total of four goals in only two tournament matches, equaling the MVC tournament record. Additionally, the forward became the second player in MVC Tournament history to net four goals in two matches, joining Creighton's Keith DeFini in 1992. Sharp's efforts on the offensive end awarded him his first-ever Missouri Valley Conference Men's Soccer Tournament MVP honor. Sharp also extended his program record for goals scored, to 37 on his career with the Brown and Gold. As of this morning, Sharp was tied for fifth in career goals among active players.
This afternoon, Sing and Robinson chipped away at the Brown and Gold's all-time assist ladder during WMU's victory.
Today, Sing's assist improved his career total to 21. With his helper today, Sing tied Edu Jimenez (2013-16) and Scott Hines (1984-87) for the third most assists recorded in program history.
After Robinson's two-assist performance Saturday, the defender from Gurnee, Illinois, sits with 17 assists for the Brown and Gold Robinson is now tied with
Mike Melaragni (2018-22) for the seventh most assists in program history. Entering today's contest, Robinson trailed the NCAA men's soccer assist leader Ploutarchos Alonefti (Lipscomb) by two assists for a share of the division one men's soccer assist crown. Robinson is currently at 12 assists created this season. With his next assist, he will tie Giuliano Teixeira (2003) for the most assists created in a single campaign.
Up Next
The Broncos will find out their NCAA Tournament fate during the NCAA Selection Show, which will take place Monday, November 13, at 1PM. The show will be streamed on NCAA.com. The men's soccer team welcomes all fans to University Roadhouse on Monday as they will host a watch party for the Selection Show.
