Box Score
KALAMAZOO, Mich.- Saeed Sulemana Baba scored a late goal to tie the game at 1-1, but Western Michigan dropped a hard-fought battle to Valparaiso in overtime, 2-1.
In an evenly played first half, neither the Broncos or Crusaders had many looks at goal as each team took just three shots apiece. In the 22nd minute, Valparaiso's Brendan Roth capitalized on a loose ball in the box, sending it past WMU freshman keeper Cody Camp for a 1-0 Crusader lead.
Western Michigan continued its attack in the second half and managed to even the score in the 66th minute. Luis Lemus served a ball into the box from the middle of the field to a sliding Yllson Asani who couldn't get under it. Remi Sanderford battled off a Crusader defender on the right side down near the end line and played a chip in towards the goal. Sulemana Baba out-jumped his marking man, heading the ball home for a goal. It was his second goal of the season, and Sanderford's first career assist.
Things started to heat up in the final minutes but neither team could put an end to the game before regulation. Western Michigan had the first crack on goal in overtime about a minute and a half in. Jordan Miller sent a service in from the right side to Tyler Rosenhagen who volleyed a bullet off his right foot, unfortunately it would be directly at Valpo goalkeeper Ryan Schwarz.
Valparaiso's (3-2-0) Zack Stivers scored the golden goal in the 96th minute for the Crusader victory. Steve Shively played a ball into the box from the left and Stivers connected to seal the 2-1 win.
"We just can't seem to find any luck," WMU senior captain Charlie Watts said after the game. "We made some mental errors, but were pumped up going into OT. After we worked so hard these last four games, we thought this one was going to go our way. Credit goes to them."
Western Michigan (0-5-0) will have to wait another day for its first win of the season, its next opportunity Saturday against Michigan. Kickoff at the WMU Soccer Complex is at 2 p.m.
The Broncos pay tribute to the armed forces with Support the Troops Day Saturday against Michigan, adorning yellow jerseys with commemorative markings for the match. Fans will have an opportunity to purchase these game-worn jerseys for $50, with proceeds going to Desert Angels, helping ship items to troops overseas in combat. To reserve a jersey contact Ben Pirmann at benjamin.s.pirmann@wmich.edu or (269) 276-3583.
