KALAMAZOO, Mich.- The Western Michigan men's soccer team defeated visiting Buffalo 1-0 Saturday at the WMU Soccer Complex to finish the regular season with an 11-3-4 overall record, 3-1-1 Mid-American Conference record.

The 11 wins is one shy of tying the school record of 12, accomplished in 1988 and 2003.

The Broncos will be either the No. 1 or No. 2 seed in the upcoming MAC Tournament which begins with semifinal matches on Nov. 13. Akron hosts Bowling Green in the final MAC regular season match this evening at 7 p.m. If the Falcons are able to upset the Zips, Western Michigan would be the No. 1 seed and MAC Tournament host, as well as own a share of the regular-season title.

Western Michigan's shutout over Buffalo was its 12th of the season and fourth in as many games. The Broncos are undefeated in their last seven games, the team's last loss came on Oct. 13 at Michigan State.

“I think we're playing our best soccer at the most important time of the year,” said WMU head coach Chad Wiseman. “We're excited to be in the MAC Tournament and we look forward to the opportunity to compete for the championship next weekend.

“Buffalo is a good team and also very deserving of being in the tournament next week.  They're big and strong and make things difficult to find a rhythm.”

Senior Sean Conerty tallied the game-winning goal for Western Michigan, scoring off a free kick from 45 yards out for his third goal of the season. Conerty took the kick just in front of Western Michigan's bench in the 18th minute. UB keeper Joseph Kuta came off his line and immediately realized he had misread the play. Conerty's shot got over the top of Kuta and sailed into the back of the net.

Sophomore Brandon Bye nearly put WMU up 2-0 four minutes later, collecting a bad clearance by the Bulls and rocketing a shot from distance that rang off the left post.

Western Michigan had the first scoring chance of the second half as Conerty took a hard low shot in the 59th minute which forced Kuta to make a diving stop. Conerty had two more good looks later in the game, putting a right-footed blast just over the cross bar in the 65th minute and forcing Kuta to make another save on a low shot in the 85th minute.

Defensively, Western Michigan senior goalkeeper Chase Rau made three saves and had a strong presence throughout the game, grabbing several other balls out of the air. Defenseman Cam Jensen had a big time tackle in the 71st minute against Buffalo's most dangerous player Russell Cicerone, cutting out an opportunity in the box.

Western Michigan honored its 10 seniors before the game and started all 10 seniors in the match. Joining Rau, Conerty and Jensen in the starting 11 was Sean Hazen, Carlos Suarez, Connor Furgason, Dom Hunter, Greg Timmer, Esteban Russell and Nick Wysong, as well as sophomore Zach Bock.

Rau improved his record to 4-3-1 in goal with the result.

“I can't say enough about the senior class and I am extremely happy for them to get a win on senior day,” Wiseman said. “They have done so much for this program on and off the field. They have without a doubt cemented themselves as one of the best classes in Bronco soccer history.”

Buffalo concludes its regular season with a 7-6-4 overall record and will be the No. 3 seed in the MAC Tournament after going 2-2-1 in league play.