KENT, Ohio -- The Western Michigan women's soccer team earned a big road win over Kent State on Saturday night. The Broncos defeated the Golden Flashes, 3-1, at Dix Stadium. The win improved WMU's record to 6-1-5 overall and 3-0-2 in conference play.
WMU got goals from
Sammi Glover,
Jen Blitchok and
Abby Werthman. Blitchok's goal was the game-winning tally and pushed her to just one goal behind the single-season program record.
FIRST HALF
The Broncos took control early and got the first shot of the game with
Callie Cunningham challenging KSU keeper Heidi Marshall. As the game moved over 10 minutes,
Heidi Thomasma had a shot blocked on a good chance. Not too long after that, however, Kent State found the back of the net to take a 1-0 lead in the 18th minute.
WMU would respond, getting a shot from
Maya Dean just a few moments later. Not too long after that, Blitchok tried her luck on net, but Marshall was there again to make a save. Eventually, the Brown and Gold would breakthrough, getting a corner kick in the 30th minute. Glover was there to finish the chance for her first career goal.
Down the stretch of the first half, WMU stayed on the attack and struck once again. Blitchok tallied her 11th goal of the season to push the Broncos in front, 2-1, in the 40th minute. WMU would carry that one-goal lead into the second 45 minutes.
SECOND HALF
WMU also got the first shot of the second half, with
Emily Pagett having her shot blocked out front. Moments after that, Blitchok missed just left of the net. Kent State got a quality look in the 58th minute. However, that opportunity sailed over the bar and out of play.
After some back-and-forth action,
Drew Martin nearly added a third goal for WMU, as her shot was saved by Marshall in the 71st minute. About three minutes later,
Madi Canada had a quality look saved by Marshall.
Thanks to its relentless attack, the Broncos would tack on a goal late. Werthman used an assist from Pagett to make the score 3-1 with just over five minutes to play in the game. WMU would close out the game with a two-goal victory.
UP NEXT
Western Michigan returns to Kalamazoo on Thursday afternoon to square off with Bowling Green at the WMU Soccer Complex. That game is set for 4 PM.
