KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- The Western Michigan women's soccer team opened Mid-American Conference play with a 3-0 victory over Northern Illinois on Thursday evening at the WMU Soccer Complex. 

Using two goals from Jen Blitchok and one from Emily Pagett, the Broncos were able to move to 5-3-0 overall and 1-0-0 in MAC play, while the Huskies fell to 2-4-2 overall and 0-1-0 in conference action. 

"We are really proud of the effort and team performance today to get a really important result in our MAC-opening game," head coach Lewis Robinson said. "We knew NIU would be a difficult opponent, and it is a great bounce-back result for us after last week. Really pleased with the defensive concentration and focus from the whole team to limit them to minimal chances. Overall, a great start to the conference season and a good home game day!"

FIRST HALF
The Broncos came out right away and showed they were the aggressor, as Jenna Blackburn had two shots (one on goal) in the opening 10 minutes. Just moments after those looks, Pagett slipped a ball to Blackburn who eventually sent a ball into the box for Blithcok. Blitchok slid and tipped the ball by NIU keeper Sadie McGill for the game's first goal. 

After three more Bronco shots in the middle portion of the game, Abby Werthman lined up for a corner kick that was kicked around and eventually sent home by Pagett, helping the Brown and Gold take a 2-0 lead. Heidi Thomasma and Werthman were credited with assists. 

As the game progressed to the late stages of the first half, Reagan Wisser nearly put the Broncos in front 3-0, as her shot hit the left post. Following that, Thomasma had a shot saved by McGill, and the Broncos would carry their 2-0 advantage into the half. 

SECOND HALF
Much like the first half, WMU would come out aggressive on offense, earning the first three shots of the second 45 minutes. Thomasma and Mira Pierre-Webster put shots on net. In the 59th minute, the Broncos' aggressive offense would pay off, with Madi Canada sending a corner kick into the box that was headed in by Blithcok for her second goal of the game and fifth of the season. 

Even up 3-0, Western Michigan continued to attack offensively. To close out the game, WMU would outshoot the Huskies 7-0 and finish the game with a shutout. Overall, the Brown and Gold dominated the stat sheet, leading in shots (22-3), shots on goal (9-1) and corner kicks (7-1). Boafo posted her fourth shutout of the season. 

UP NEXT
The Broncos continue MAC play with a road contest at Bowling Green on Sunday, Sept. 24. The game is set for 1 p.m.