Men's Soccer Travels to Canisius, Hosts Loyola This Week
KALAMAZOO, Mich.- The Western Michigan men's soccer team travels to Buffalo for a 7 p.m. match against Canisius Thursday, Sept. 6 and returns to Kalamazoo to host Loyola on Alumni Day Saturday, Sept. 8 at 4 p.m.
QUOTING RIDDLE
"We are expecting two very difficult games this week against two teams that are very well coached," said WMU head coach Stu Riddle. "I have been very happy with our form on the road and at home so I will be challenging the players to continue their excellent attitudes in preparation and individual performances during the games."
BRONCOS RANKED SIXTH IN GREAT LAKES REGION
Off to a 4-0-0 record in 2012, Western Michigan has earned a No. 6 ranking in this week's Great Lakes Regional Poll. The Broncos also received 15 points in the NSCAA Division I National Poll. It is the second time Western Michigan has garnered a regional ranking
under fourth-year head coach Stu
Riddle. WMU was ranked No. 9 in the region in 2010.
JONES EARNS MULTIPLE HONORS
WMU senior defender was named Mid-American Conference Player of the Week and to the College Soccer News National Team of the Week after scoring and assisting a goal in a pair of victories last week. Jones assisted Yllson Asani's tally in the 73rd minute in a 3-0 win vs. IPFW and scored the game-winning goal in a 1-0 victory at DePaul.
SPREADING THE WEALTH
Seven different players have tallied a goal for Western Michigan this season and six different Broncos have notched an assist. Three Broncos, Ryan Lemasters, Marco Lobo and Oliver Mayer each have two goals on the year.
CLEAN SHEET
Western Michigan has out-scored its opponents 10-1 in four games this year, posting shutouts in three of four games. The Broncos have dominated the overall shot count, 73 to 26, placing 24 shots on goal, while opponents have just 11 shots on goal.
ALL-TIME SERIES
Western Michigan is 5-2-0 all-time against Canisius, and won the last meeting between the two, 5-3, in 2009. Both Bronco losses to the Griffins have come in Buffalo, 2-1 in double overtime in 2008, and 3-2 in 2000.
Western Michigan is 4-3-0 all-time against Loyola, and has won three of the last four meetings, including a 4-0 victory in Chicago last year.
SCOUTING REPORT
Canisius has started the 2012 campaign unbeaten after four contests with a 2-0-2 record, and is currently ranked third in the North Atlantic Regional poll. The Griffins tied Buffalo (1-1) and Robert Morris (0-0) to start the year and have posted wins over Eastern Illinois (4-3) and IUPUI (2-1). Five different players have accounted for the team's seven goals.
Loyola will be looking for its first win of the season when it visits Kalamazoo Saturday. The Ramblers have started the year with two losses, falling to Central Arkansas at home in overtime, 2-1, and to Drake on the road, 3-1. Sophomore forward Andrew Raymonds has scored both Rambler goals.
ALUMNI WEEKEND
This is Alumni Weekend for the Bronco men's and women's soccer programs, who both have home games over the weekend. For more information on the Alumni events, click here.
FOLLOW MEN'S SOCCER ON TWITTER
Bronco fans can follow the men's soccer team on Twitter @WMUMensSoccer, providing in-game updates, photos and more!
