KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- The Western Michigan men's soccer team looks to bounce back from a close loss to open the 2025 season against the 12th ranked Dayton Flyers on Sunday afternoon.
LAST TIME OUT
The No. 20 Western Michigan Broncos played a close opening match with the Kentucky Wildcats on Thursday night. But a late goal from the Wildcats handed Western Michigan its first loss of the season after the Broncos tied the game up in the 74th minute.
Junior defender
Braxton Arpachinda scored WMU's lone goal of the match for his fourth career score. Arpachinda was assisted by redshirt senior forward
Connor Burkett, who also had the last shot on goal of the night. The Broncos racked up five shots through 90 minutes of play from five different players. While starting goalkeeper
Timi Adams made five saves, including a highlight reel diving save in the 56th minute.
RANKED vs. RANKED
The Broncos host their first ranked opponent of the season in #12 Dayton on Sunday afternoon. Western Michigan's last ranked match up at the Farm was on September 6, 2024 against #9 Northwestern. The Broncos were able to shutout the Wildcats for the 1-0 victory. Last season Western Michigan played to a 1-1 draw with the Flyers at Historic Crew Stadium. Dayton was ranked #25 at the time of the two team's last meeting in September of 2024.
Arapchinda had the Bronco's goal in 2024 on Flyers keeper Dario Caetano. Western Michigan will look to keep its unbeaten streak to Dayton alive during Sunday's match. The Broncos have either won or reached a draw with the Flyers in the team's last nine meetings. WMU has not lost to Dayton in over 30 years, with their last loss coming in October of 1994.
SCOUTING THE FLYERS
The 12th ranked Flyers come into Sunday's game with a draw to start the season. Dayton did not find a goal in its first match of 2025 against Detroit Mercy for its home opener. The Flyers had the statistical advantage on the field on Thursday, firing off 16 shots with eight landing on goal. But Detroit Mercy goalkeeper Gavin Krenecki made all eight saves to blank Dayton. While Flyers keeper Colin Monroe only faced three shots on goal in the first half for a perfect performance.
In 2024 Dayton finished the season as the A-10 Champions, winning the conference tournament with a 3-0 shutout of perirenal powerhouse Saint Louis. The Flyers were rewarded for their strong season last year with a bye in the 2024 NCAA Tournament, heading to the Sweet Sixteen with a 2-0 win over Michigan. But Dayton's season ended there as they were eliminated by No. 12 SMU in a 3-1 loss on its home pitch.
