Broncos Tie No. 17 West Virginia to Start MAC Play
The Broncos pushed their overall record to 7-2-2 with the result and begin the Mid-American Conference season 0-0-1, as it was the conference opener for the Brown & Gold.
"I thought it was a really good game with excellent quality from both teams," said WMU head coach Stu Riddle. "We knew they were going to be a very difficult opponent for us and I am very proud of our players and the gritty performance."
Lyons recorded his fourth goal in as many games with his strike in the 11th minute. Ryan Lemasters threaded a ball through the midfield, finding Lyons streaking through the middle of the pitch. Lyons went one-on-one with a defender and tucked his shot low as WVU keeper Pat Eavenson came off his line. It was Lemasters' team-leading sixth assist of the season.
Western Michigan held the 1-0 lead until the 53rd minute, when Cain scored his second goal of the year. Travis Pittman took a corner for the Mountaineers on the left side and the Broncos were unable to clear the service. Cain gathered the loose ball on the back side and hit a hard shot past WMU netminder Sean Lewis.
The Mountaineers (6-2-2, 1-0-1 MAC) failed to capitalize in the 72nd minute when Uwem Etuck sailed an open chance over the goal.
Lewis made a season-high eight saves for Western Michigan. Eavenson made three stops for West Virginia. WVU took 14 shots on the day, while the Broncos attempted 12.
Western Michigan heads to Bowling Green next Friday, Oct. 5 before hosting Florida Atlantic on Sunday, Oct. 7.
"We're pretty beat up right now so the lads will take a few days to recoup before we start preparing for the next tough challenge at Bowling Green," Riddle said.
