KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- The #4 Western Michigan men's soccer team continued its hot start to the 2024 season Sunday, with a 5-1 victory over Air Force at WMU Soccer Complex on Military Appreciation Day. In the win, five different Broncos (Noah James, Carson Hodgson, Owen Smith, Braxton Arpachinda, and Alek Markovski) saw the ball go into the back of the Falcon net. 

"We have a lot of respect for Air Force, their players, and staff," said WMU Head Coach Chad Wiseman on the visiting Falcons. "When the national anthem is being played, and you see the Air Force players saluting the flag, it gives you a great perspective on how lucky we all are to live the lives we do. I think the fact we were able to bring the Air Force Academy to Kalamazoo for a soccer match is a cool thing." 

The Broncos were able to capitalize on a fast start, with James and Hodgson scoring in the 12th and 14th minutes of the match. The Brown and Gold displayed exceptional passing early, with Carter Cormier and team Captain Landon Fisher earning assists on the opening goal. Two minutes later, Broncos Greyson Mercer and Smith were credited with assists after a goal from Hodgson. "We got off to a great start today on our front foot: Moving the ball with one to two touches with great purpose generated our two goals early," explained Wiseman. 

After an eventful first half for WMU, Smith added to the Bronco scoring output with a goal in the 55th minute from a pass by defender Christian Shannon. 

"We have been able to cycle a lot of different players into the lineup: We have many players playing at a high level currently,"  said Wiseman. 

Through six games of the regular season, WMU has outscored its opponents at an impressive 16 to four-ratio. Air Force would tack on one goal against the Brown and Gold in the 87th minute to conclude the match. 

Less than five minutes after Smith's goal, sophomore defender Arpachinda scored the first goal of his Bronco career from a service by Smith to increase the lead to four. 

Later, in the 85th minute of the game, Markovski netted his first goal of his collegiate career from assisting teammates Cormier and Roni Sylejmani.

"It was an outstanding home stand. Now, our attention turns to The Valley with a big matchup in Nashville against a talented Belmont team," concluded Wiseman. 

Historical Notes: 

For the first time since September 14, 2019, five different Broncos scored in a contest. 

The Brown and Gold extended their program-record unbeaten streak to a 27th game without a loss Sunday. In addition to the win, WMU improved their record at WMU Soccer Complex to 15-0-2 over the team's last 17 matches in Kalamazoo.

Since March 14, 2021, the men's soccer team has boasted a phenomenal record of 30-3-4 at WMU Soccer Complex.

Up Next: 

The men's soccer team will have a week off before returning to action. Next week, the men's soccer team will travel to Nashville, Tennessee for their first Missouri Valley Conference match of the year. On Sunday, September 15, the Brown and Gold will face off against Belmont University at 2:00 PM.