KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Western Michigan men's soccer team opened its four game homestand with a 0-0 draw against Butler University Monday afternoon.

Game Notes 

"I think one team leaves the field today happy with a clean sheet and something to build on and the other team leaves the field very disappointed, not in their play but in the result". Noted head coach Chad Wiseman.

As a team the Broncos out shot Butler 16-8, marking the second consecutive match where the team would increase its shot total. 

"We out possessed Butler in both halves, that's an area they pride themselves in.  We did turn our possession into good scoring chances, we just lacked the want to inside the box today.  We took easy ways out, hiding on back shoulders, hoping Butler would make a mistake." said Wiseman. "We need to take a couple days away from each other right now, regroup and get ready for a strong Dayton team." The Broncos will host Dayton (1-1-1) next Sunday. Over the Flyers last two games, they have outscored their opponents 6-2. "I'd like to thank our marketing department for putting on another great Bronco Soccer Fest!  The community showed out once again and although it was extremely hot today they stood with us to the end!", concluded Wiseman. 

Despite the draw, the men's soccer program has high confidence heading into the next stretch of the season, including junior defender Jonathan Robinson, who spoke highly of goalkeeper Ethan Brandt's performance this afternoon, "The best thing out of today was the clean sheet. EB played his best game that I have seen from him", praised Captain Robinson, "Ethan Brandt had a great game. He picked us up over the first twenty minutes saving point blank shots. It's the best that I've seen him play, he earned his number one spot and he is looking like one of the best goalies in our conference. I am really happy about how he is performing", noted Robinson. 

Over the last three games, Brandt has conceded one goal and has corralled a total of 10 shots. This afternoon marked the second time the Brown and Gold were shutout on the season, however Western Michigan completed its second consecutive shutout on the defensive third of the field. "It's a work in progress", explained Robinson, "We have to make sure that we are finishing on our chances. The guys are looking good, we are creating more chances that we did during the preseason and I am happy with how we are playing. During the second 45 we were all over them and they did not have many chances. Butler is a good team, they do really well in the Big East. Their offensive player of the year didn't have anything going and that is a great statement to our team and our forum as we prepare for the next coming games". 

Midfielder Landon Fisher also had high praise for the Broncos play this afternoon, "EB was on his head today. It was the best game I have seen him play today. We fought really hard. Going into half coach was saying to cut out all of Butler's transition moments and I think we executed well in the second half. I think that there are positives from this game and now we can enter the next game ready to go".

Up Next

The Broncos will host Dayton at WMU Soccer Complex on Sunday, September 10, at 1:00 PM. Live stats and live stream information is available under the men's soccer schedule with tickets available here.