Western Michigan University Athletics

KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- The Western Michigan University men's soccer team returned to the win column with a 6-0 victory over the Holy Cross Saints.

Junior forward Vitor Geromel had the Broncos' first four-goal performance in four years in Tuesday's win against Holy Cross. WMU's two other goals came from forward Sahel Yessen, who was named the MVC Offensive Player of the Week only hours before, and redshirt freshman defender Anthony Piacentini. Five of the Brown and Gold's six goals occurred in only a 16 minute span after leading by only one score for over 60 minutes. With an even six goals and six assists, Western Michigan recorded a total of 18 points through 90 minutes of action.

The Broncos claimed the lead early on Tuesday night over the Saints. Geromel scored his first goal of the match in the ninth minute after a WMU free kick was blocked by a Holy Cross player in the box. The ball came back out to midfielder Neo Heyral from the 30, who sailed a long cross back into the penalty box where midfielder Liam Biggers directed the ball to Geromel at the six, for the opening goal. The Brown and Gold had five more opportunities for a goal in the first half, but all were saved by the Saints starting goalkeeper.

For almost two thirds of the second half Western Michigan continued to threaten in its attacking third with three shots on goal and six others. The Broncos began their scoring onslaught off a penalty kick save from a handball in the box. Geromel took the PK shot, which was saved by a new Holy Cross goalkeeper, who couldn't keep the ball in his hands. On the close rebound, Geromel got a second chance that didn't miss to make it 2-0 WMU. 

Only two minutes later, Piacentini scored his first career goal after the Brown and Gold were awarded a corner kick in the 76th minute. On the corner serve from midfielder Gabe Villagomez, Piacentini rose up at the penalty spot to head the ball into the bottom right corner. It was again a two minute span in between goals for Western Michigan, as Geromel recorded a hat trick off a feed in the penalty area from midfielder Kyle Pierson. 

The Broncos almost took a 10 minute break from scoring when Yessen had his fourth goal of the season in the 87th minute. Geromel added another point to his match total with the assist on Yessen's goal as he regained possession for WMU right before the attacking third. He turned and crossed the ball up the middle to Yessen, who walked it into the penalty box, making the Saints goalie leave the net, and firing when it was empty.

The Brown and Gold's sixth and final goal of the match came with just under two minutes to go. Western Michigan brought the ball back into the penalty area and fired a shot which was saved by Holy Cross's goalkeeper. The rebound from the goalie came straight to Heyral at the 20 were he passed it off to Geromel at the top of the penalty arc. He broke away from a pair of Saints defenders guarding him, firing a shot right before the arc to score a fourth time in the top right corner. 

Western Michigan hits the road for the first time in the month of October over the weekend. The Broncos travel to Niceville USA, or Des Moines, Iowa as its known to most, for a clash with the Drake Bulldogs. WMU will look to keep its three game unbeaten streak in Des Moines going on Saturday, October 17. Kickoff from Mediacom Stadium is set for 7 p.m. EST this weekend.