KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- The Western Michigan men's soccer team will try to build off a late-game win over Detroit Mercy as the team returns to conference play on Saturday against the Northern Illinois Huskies.

LAST TIME OUT
In the final non-conference match of the season, the Broncos picked up a big 2-1 win against Detroit Mercy. After a tough week on the road, the Brown and Gold returned to the WMU Soccer Complex victorious thanks to a late-match goal. Preseason All-MVC selection defender Christian Shannon scored his first goal of the season in the 86th minute to give Western Michigan a 2-1 win. Graduate goalkeeper Timi Adams picked up his first win of the season for the Broncos while winger Liam Smith led the team in shots with four and added his second goal of 2025.

Smith's goal came in the 41^st minute right in front of the goal line off a long cross from forward Braden Stevanovic for the first goal of the match. The Titans were able to tie the match up early in the second half, finding the net in the 53rd minute. But WMU was able to come back late in the game as Shannon headed the ball into the bottom left corner of the net after a corner kick service from defender Emiel Nieuwhof to give the Brown and Gold the win. 

IN-STATE SUPREMACY
With their win over Detroit Mercy on Wednesday night, the Broncos continue their streak of winning against Michigan-based opponents in the regular season. For the past six years, WMU has not dropped a game to Detroit Mercy, Oakland, Michigan, or Michigan State. That streak extends to seven years for the Brown and Gold if games away from WMU Soccer Complex are not included.

Western Michigan's last loss to an in-state opponent in the regular season came in 2018 at No. 21 Michigan. The Broncos were able to take the Wolverines into overtime during the early September match that year, but eventually fell 3-2. WMU's last home loss to a Michigan team was when the Brown and Gold were shutout by the Spartans 1-0. 

SCOUTING THE HUSKIES
Northern Illinois comes into their final game as an MVC opponent at The Farm on Saturday with a 5-3-2 overall record while in conference the team has a win and a tie. The Huskies lone Valley win came over Bradley on Saturday in a 2-1 victory. While NIU has wins over Green Bay, Western Illinois, IU Indy, and Governors State in non-conference play. Northern Illinois tie came during its first Valley match of the season at Drake with both teams netting a goal. 

The Huskies are led by forwards Vance Sheffield and Katai Mukuka. Both have 12 points on the season with Sheffield leading the team in goals scored as he's found the back of the net five times in 2025. With five goals, Sheffield is tied for fourth in the MVC. While Mukuka is one of the conference leaders in assists with four helpers on the year along with four goals of his own.