KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Western Michigan women's soccer team fell to Illinois, 3-0, on Thursday night at the WMU Soccer Complex. The setback dropped WMU's record to 2-1-2 on the season.
FIRST HALF
WMU got an early corner kick, putting pressure on the Illini in the opening minutes. However, it would be Illinois that would strike first, scoring in the 10th minute on an own goal.
Following that,
Kailah Newcomb nearly knotted the game at 1-1 with a blast from just outside the box. The Illini keeper made a diving save to keep the visitors in front by one. Illinois would go on to add another goal, pushing the game to 2-0 in the 25th minute.
Down the stretch, Sulaver did well to keep the game within reach. She stopped a point-blank chance in the 43rd minute to keep the score 2-0 in favor of Illinois at the half.
SECOND HALF
The Brown and Gold got the first look of the second half, with
Tessa Fagerson just missing the net. Despite the early chance, Illinois would add to its lead in the 52nd minute. That made the game 3-0.
After a Sulaver save,
Camryn Huhn nearly brought the Broncos back into the game. But her shot was blocked out front. WMU got a corner kick in the 63rd minute, with
June Mullen heading a shot just over the bar.
A few minutes later,
Meredith Vance had a strong chance miss wide of the net. From there, Huhn and
Irelyn Sheldon tried to get the Broncos on the board, but the Illini defense was there to keep the clean sheet.
Down the stretch,
Sydnee Maxwell would get a great opportunity at the goal. But Illinois was once again there to clear the chance. The Fighting Illini would go on to close out a 3-0 victory.
UP NEXT
The Broncos will be back in action on Sunday afternoon at Detroit Mercy. Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m.
