CHICAGO – The Western Michigan men's soccer team ended the 2025 regular season with a late-match 2-1 loss to the UIC Flames.

The Broncos fought against a red-hot Flames offense on Wednesday night in their final match of the regular season. With a potential bye on the line, WMU wasn't able to find the go-ahead goal to move up the Missouri Valley Conference standings. While the Brown and Gold found an equalizer in the 84^th minute on midfielder Gabe Villagomez' first of the year, UIC scored in the final minute to give Western Michigan the 2-1 loss.

It was a fairly even match through the first 30 minutes in the Windy City. Both offenses had a couple of chances in their attacking zones, none of which came near the back of the net. But the Broncos spent most of the last 15 minutes of the first half defending their goal as the Flames had six attempts. WMU did get the last chance of the first 45 as winger Liam Smith had a shot blocked just inside the penalty area.

The Brown and Gold weren't able to swing momentum their way at the start of the second half as UIC quickly made its way down the field. The Flames relentless pressure soon paid off as they scored the first goal of the match in the 59^th minute on a Western Michigan own goal in front of the net. The Broncos returned to defense shortly after the goal as starting keeper Alex Lindewirth made two quick saves just after the score.

WMU's first opportunity of the second half came from forward Jonathan Stout, who had back-to-back shots blocked at the top of the penalty area and the penalty arc in the 71^st minute. The opportunities for Stout began to change the tides for the Brown and Gold, who added five shots over the next eight minutes. Defender Braxton Arpachinda had two shots saved by UIC's goalkeeper during that stretch.

It was Villagomez who broke through for Western Michigan only a minute later. In the 84^th minute after a corner kick, the Broncos kept control of the ball in the penalty area. Midfielder Jordan Klein found the ball in the left corner of the goal area, crossing to Villagomez at the right of the penalty spot. Villagomez took a quick right-footed shot, putting the ball in the bottom right corner of the net. But WMU's equalizer didn't last as the Flames made one last push in the final minute to score on a rebound inside the Brown and Gold's goal area.

Western Michigan continues on to the postseason as the sixth seed in the MVC Tournament. The Broncos will begin their quest to the championship in DeKalb, Ill. with a quarterfinal match against the third seed Northern Illinois Huskies. Kickoff from NIU Soccer and Track and Field Complex is set for 2:00 p.m. EST on Sunday, Nov. 9.