KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- It could be said that the 2023 Western Michigan University women's soccer season began in the 87th minute of the final regular season match of 2022.

All 21 returning players and the coaching staff still remember that magical goal by sophomore Heidi Thomasma, who lofted the ball over the head of the Toledo goaltender and into the net in the 87th minute to give the Broncos a 3-2 victory and a spot in the Mid-American Conference postseason tournament.

''My take on that goal wasn't so much that it was the win, but the way we wanted it as a team,'' second year head coach Lewis Robinson said. ''By the end of the season, we were so beat up and thin, but we didn't stop. 

''We believed we were going to win and the fight was great and the team attitude was great. That attitude is there this season.''

As WMU (5-9-5 overall, 5-4-2 Mid-American Conference in 2022) gets ready to open the season on Thursday at Northern Kentucky University, that dramatic goal is still recalled by senior Jenna Blackburn and junior co-captain Mira Pierre-Webster.

''The goal was super-special and a testament to our team and how we were willing to fight to the last second, the last whistle and we want to take that into this year,'' Blackburn said.

Pierre-Webster, a defender, watched the play unfold and was thinking, ''We have to get another goal, we have to fight. And when Heidi scored, it was unreal.''

WMU returns eight of its top ten scorers from last season They are Blackburn, who had five goals and two assists for 12 points; Reagan Wisser (five goals, one assist, 11 points), Emily Pagett (two goals, two assists, six points), Jaden Peck (three goals, six points), Bria Telemaque (two goals, two assists, six points), Thomasma (two goals, four points); Pierre-Webster (three assists, three points) and Drew Martin (one goal, two points).

''Having players like Emily and others in the midfield returning, you can expect what is to come from them, but I also think the playing styles of the new people like Jen Blitchock (led Indiana as a sophomore with 12 points), Abby Werthman (14 goals, three assists last season for Madonna University), Stephanie Curry (10 goals in her career at Toledo) and others go so well with what we are doing here,'' Blackburn said.

Added Pierre-Webster, ''We have a lot of new players on defense, and with a new assistant coach coming in (Paige Eli), it has gone smoothly. Our chemistry is very good.''

Robinson was named head coach in June of last season, so this is his first big recruiting class. He has brought in the players he feels fit his fast, attacking style of play.

''We have brought in new players and our returning players have developed on the attack side and it's nice to start out scoring some goals,'' he said.

A 9-0 exhibition win over Wright State showed that style.

''We were able to play 29 players, and with our third rotation playing in the final minutes, we still scored two goals,'' he said. ''Depth will be the key, because of the injuries we had at the end of last season, we never felt we could go 20 deep.

''Against Wright State, the energy was fast and we were competitive for the entire match and that showed our depth.''

Robinson feels that depth is much stronger going into the new season.

''The whole team crushed it in the weight room, drastically increasing our endurance fitness and explosive fitness from last year,'' the head coach said. 

And the exciting final regular-season match against Toledo last year?

''We never gave up, and this season, we have that attitude with more legs and a different schedule,'' Robinson said. ''That's what I get excited about this season.''

Roster
Seniors/Graduate students – Jenna Blackburn, forward/midfield; Rose Dumford, goalkeeper; Stephanie Currie, forward; Abby Werthman, forward; Jen Blitchock, forward; Kayla Whelchel, midfield; Lexi Nickole, defender; Madison Cotta, defender; Reagan Wisser, forward; Brielle Gomez, defender; Bria Telemaque, midfield.

Juniors – Emily Pagett, midfield; Brooke Bailey; Lauren Boafo, goaltender; Kindall Duke, defender; Madison Salzenstein, midfield; Mira Pierre-Webster, defender; Shakira O'Malley, defender; Taryn DeShane, defender; Jaden Peck, forward.

Sophomores – Drew Martin, midfielder; Katie Goss, goaltender; Madi Canada, midfielder; Heidi Thomasma, midfield; Ava Wilberding, goaltender; Abby Baldridge, defender; Olivia Brunink, forward. 

Freshmen – Shelby Moore, defender; Jada Burgin, forward; Alex Arnold, midfield.

Coaching staff – Lewis Robinson, head coach; Nate Van Ryn, assistant coach; Paige Eli, assistant coach.