KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- The Western Michigan women's soccer team will wrap up a three-game homestand when Illinois comes to town on Thursday night at the WMU Soccer Complex. The two teams will hit the field at 7 p.m. on ESPN+. 

LAST TIME OUT
Western Michigan posted a 2-0 victory over Valparaiso on Aug. 30, marking the second consecutive clean sheet for the Brown and Gold. 

Sophia Bowman and Tessa Fagerson scored their team-leading second goals of the season to help WMU extend its home unbeaten streak to 22 games. Kate Sheridan earned her first win and shutout of the season in net. 

NEW FACES, SAME RESULTS
Though the Broncos lost a wealth of talent from last year's MAC Championship group, some new faces have stepped up to fill the void. 

WMU has found the back of the net six times, with all six goals coming from players who had never scored in the Brown and Gold prior to this season. 

Sophia Bowman and Tessa Fagerson lead the team with two goals each. Bowman played limited minutes as a freshman last season, and Fagerson transferred in from DePaul. 

Camryn Huhn and Irelyn Sheldon have provided the other two goals for Western Michigan. Both freshmen have played in all four games for the Broncos this season. 

SAVING THE DAY
The Brown and Gold have gotten off to a strong start in 2026, thanks in large part to the play of its goalkeepers. WMU has allowed just two goals in four games, stopping 16 total shots. 

Reagan Sulaver has started three games, owning a 0.67 goals against average and .875 save percentage. She has 11 shutouts in her career. 

Kate Sheridan made her WMU debut on Aug. 30, blanking her former team (Valparaiso). She made two saves in the victory. 

Overall, the two goalkeepers have helped the Broncos post a 0.50 GAA and .889 save percentage to begin the 2026 campaign. 

SCOUTING THE ILLINI
Illinois enters Thursday's game with a 1-0-3 record, securing its lone win against Cincinnati. The Fighting Illini also posted draws against No. 19 Georgia, UIC and Saint Louis. 

The Illini lead the all-time series, 2-1, but the two teams haven't met since the 2012 season. WMU's lone win against Illinois came back in 2003. 

The Illinois offense hasn't quite clicked just yet, entering Thursday's match with three goals on the season. Cayla Jackson leads the squad with five points on two goals and one assist. 

In net, Izzy Lee has started all four games, boasting a 1-0-3 record and two clean sheets. She holds a 0.50 goals against average and .875 save percentage.