MADISON, Wis. -- The Western Michigan University men's soccer team plays its first game away from The Farm on Friday evening at a Power 4 opponent. 

The Western Michigan Broncos play their first game away from WMU Soccer Complex on Friday night when they travel to the Badger State for a match with Wisconsin. The Broncos are still searching for their first win of the young 2025 season after back-to-back losses for the first time since 2021. But WMU has recent history on its side going to Madison. When the Broncos began the 2021 season with two straight losses, they earned their first result of the season at McClimon Track/Soccer Complex. Western Michigan and the Wisconsin Badgers haven't met in two seasons with the Badgers holding the series advantage at 1-4-1.

KEEPING IT ACCURATE
The Broncos offense has been selective with their shots after a week of the 2025 season. WMU is second in the MVC and 22nd nationally for shot accuracy at 58.3%. Of the 12 shots Western Michigan has taken so far, seven have been on goal looks with one goal and six saves. Accuracy has been the name of the game for the Broncos over the past two seasons. Western finished its 2024 season also 22nd in the country in shot accuracy at 47.3%. WMU has ended the past seven seasons in the Top 100 for shot accuracy in the nation, including four seasons in the Top 50.

NEW CAREER MARK
On Sunday afternoon redshirt junior goalkeeper Alex Lindewirth set a new career high for saves in his third season as a Bronco. Lindewirth stopped three of four shots from then 12th-ranked Dayton in the second half of WMU's 4-0 loss. Lindewirth's appearance in net for Western Michigan was only his second time as keeper for the Broncos.

The redshirt junior also played 45 minutes on October 1, 2024 in a home match against Olivet. While he didn't face a shot in 2024, Lindeworth had two games at his former school with two saves before setting his new career high on Sunday. WMU has now used two goalkeepers in net through two games this season. Along with Lindewirth, graduate transfer Timi Adams have split time in goal as Adams has played 135 minutes for the Broncos in net through two matches.

SCOUTING THE BADGERS
Wisconsin will be playing its third of four straight home games against WMU on Friday night at McClimon Track/Soccer Complex. The Badgers have split their first two games, losing their opening match of the season 1-0 to North Florida while winning a match over fellow Missouri Valley Conference opponent Bradley 4-1. 

Wisconsin's early season breakout players have been transfers from former MVC schools, forward Bart Muns (UIC) and midfielder Ola Arntsen (Louisville/Evansville). Muns scored the first Badger goal of the season and netted his second of the game to seal the Badger victory. Arntsen showed off his range with a dart from outside the box to give the Badgers a 2-0 lead at the end of the first half.