Men's Soccer Downs Winstars Academy, 10-1, to Start Spring Play

Appearing for the first time since falling 1-0 in the Mid-American Conference championship to Northern Illinois last November, the Broncos made short work of their younger Winstars opponents.

"Considering we haven't been in a real match environment for three months I thought the lads looked very sharp today," noted head coach Stu Riddle.

Playing in the state-of-the-art Seelye Indoor turf complex in 9 v 9 format, the Broncos led 5-1 at halftime with Jason Grant scoring three times and Oliver Mayer and Darren Jones each scoring once.

Winstars Academy defender Matthew Brown scored the only goal for the visiting side with a thumping 30-yard effort which rocketed past Bronco keeper Sean Lewis and in to the top corner of the net.

Grant and Mayer would add to their first-half tallies with further goals in the second half. Lito Esquivel, Luis Lemus and former Schoolcraft CC player and WMU debutant James Dutcher also chipped in goals to close out the scoring.

With the Seelye Invitational Cup just a week away Riddle felt the outing was the perfect preparation for next weekend's tournament.

"We now enter the games next weekend with some confidence and with a game under our belts which I think is very important. We had some very good performers out there tonight and while the goal scorers always get the credit I was very pleased with the way Jarrett Kersten, Brian Heimerdinger and Kyle Farris performed their defensive duties."

Next up for the Broncos is the Seelye Invitational Cup, Saturday, Feb. 25, at 5:15 p.m., where WMU will meet Michigan-based NAIA team Spring Arbor in the first semifinal. IPFW and Saginaw Valley State will meet in the second semifinal and the winners will to progress to the championship at 9 p.m.

The Broncos look to defend their crown after winning the Seelye Invitational Cup in 2011 with a victory over Valparaiso in last year's final.

During the shortened Spring season, teams are allowed five competition dates against other collegiate programs, as well as one competition date against an international team.

Following next weekend's Seelye Invitational Cup, WMU hosts Aquinas March 17, Notre Dame College and Detroit, March 24, and travels to South Bend, Ind., April 1 to face Notre Dame and DePaul. The Broncos round out their Spring season with a home match against in state rival Michigan State, April 7.