KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Western Michigan University men's soccer team remains unbeaten in conference play after a 1-1 draw with the UIC Flames.
The Broncos added another point in the Missouri Valley Conference standings after coming back from a goal deficit on Saturday night. While WMU leading scorer
Vitor Geromel's penalty kick was saved, junior midfielder
Braden Stevanovic recorded his first goal of the season alone for the tie. Geromel led the Brown and Gold in chances with five while four other players had three shots each. Of those four, junior midfielder Josh Veychek and freshman Neo Heryal set new career-highs while junior midfielder
Kyle Pierson matched his.
"We're really happy with the boys showing they could battle back after being down a goal in the second half, even when missing a penalty," said Head Coach
Chad Wiseman after the match. "Braden took his moment incredibly well. He was able to nutmeg his defender and had a great strike at the goal from 25 yards out."
UIC had the early advantage on Saturday night, getting the first two shots and corner kick of the match. Western Michigan was able to get into its offensive third just after the first 10 minutes, getting off two quick shots. The Flames were able to outshoot the Broncos in the beginning 45 minutes of the match, 11 to seven, but both sides put four chances on net, all of which were saved by the goalkeepers.
WMU soon found themselves down a goal in the second half as UIC scored only two minutes into the frame. After the early goal, the Brown and Gold's offense began to press the Flames, recording the next four shots. UIC pushed Western Michigan back into its defensive third for a few minutes before the Broncos broke back out onto offense.
During the next offensive push for WMU, the Flames were whistled for a handball in the penalty box, awarding the Brown and Gold their second penalty kick in as many matches. Geromel took the kick in the 61st minute for Western Michigan, but his try was saved by UIC's goalkeeper at the bottom right corner. Even with the miss, the Broncos kept pressing on offense, firing off three more shots before breaking through in the 68th minute.
Following a Flames goal kick, WMU took back possession just behind the midfield line. The Brown and Gold quickly moved up the right side as Stevanovic got the ball almost up to the penalty arc as he went through his defenders' legs. Once near the top of the arc, Stevanovic fired a rocket of a shot with his left foot, hitting the bottom left corner of the net to tie the match.
Both teams continued to have close chances at the game-winning goal in the final 20 minutes. But neither side broke through as the match ended in a 1-1 tie with both teams earning a point in the MVC standings. "We were again very dangerous in our attack," said Wiseman. "We just haven't been able to reward ourselves consistently when we create good looks at the goal."
Western Michigan only has two days off before returning back to the pitch at WMU Soccer Complex. The Broncos welcome the St. Thomas Tommies to Kalamazoo for the first time in four years on Tuesday night. Kickoff from The Farm on October 6 is set for 7 p.m.
