KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Western Michigan women's soccer team handed Buffalo its first loss of the season in a 1-0 victory on Thursday afternoon at the WMU Soccer Complex. The win pushes WMU's record to 5-1-4 overall and 2-0-1 in MAC play. 

Ava Beckett provided the lone goal of the game for the Broncos, netting her first goal of the season late in the first half. Emily Pagett and Jaden Peck earned the assists on the game winner. Lauren Boafo collected her third shutout of the season and second in MAC play. 

FIRST HALF
Western Michigan controlled most of the play in the first 45 minutes, with Madi Canada getting the first shot on net in the 11th minute. Her shot was tipped away and led to a Bronco corner kick. 

Following that corner kick, Buffalo challenged Boafo with a shot. However, she was up to the task, saving the look to keep the game tied at 0-0. In the 35th minute, Jen Blitchok nearly put the Broncos in front, as her shot was barely cleared off the line by the Bulls defense. 

However, WMU would breakthrough just a few moments later, with Beckett finding the back of the net in the 36th minute. After some pinballing around in the box, Beckett buried a shot in the bottom right corner of the net to give the Brown and Gold a 1-0 lead. 

The Broncos would continue to apply pressure in the final stages of the first half. In the final 10 minutes of the half, Pagett, Blitchok and Meredith Vance each had shots. Nothing would come of the opportunities, and WMU would carry a 1-0 lead into the final 45 minutes. 

SECOND HALF
The Broncos had a nice chance from Blitchok in the opening minutes, as her shot missed just wide of the net. A few minutes after that, Boafo made another great save to keep the Broncos in front by one goal. 

Following that save, Peck nearly headed home a second goal for WMU, but Buffalo keeper Lexie Thompson was there to make the stop. After a couple of substitutions in the 74th minute, Blitchok had yet another chance miss just wide of the net. 

After a Beckett chance in the 78th minute, Buffalo started to apply pressure looking to tie the game. However, Boafo and the WMU defense were up to the task. Boafo made her third save of the game in the 80th minute before stopping one last shot with just over a minute to go to secure a 1-0 victory. 

UP NEXT
The Broncos will travel to Central Michigan on Sunday, Sept. 29. The game is set to start at 1 PM.