Story Courtesy of Western Michigan Athletic Communications
EAST LANSING, Mich. – The Western Michigan women' soccer team saw its season come to an end on Saturday afternoon in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The Broncos were defeated by Michigan State, 3-1.
Jen Blitchok scored the lone WMU goal, which was her 18th of the season. She finishes her career as the program's career points leader and holds single-season records for both points and goals.
The 2024 Broncos conclude the season as one of the best teams in program history. They are the only group to win the MAC regular season and tournament title in the same season. WMU produced a 13-2-6 overall record and 8-0-3 MAC mark. This marked the program's first trip to the NCAA Tournament since 2015.
FIRST HALF
Western Michigan got the first shot of the game, as Blitchok tested MSU keeper Kaitlyn Parks in the ninth minute. Parks was up to the challenge, making the save. Following that chance, MSU went on top 1-0 with a goal in the 16th minute.
A couple minutes later, MSU doubled its lead, getting a goal from Justina Gaynor in the 18th minute. However, the Brown and Gold settled in from there controlling much of the possession throughout the middle portion of the first 45 minutes.
WMU was finally rewarded for its offensive effort, getting a goal from Blitchok in the 32nd minute. Blitchok took an errant pass from MSU and tucked the ball inside the left post to make it a 2-1 game. Neither team would find much offense after that tally, and Michigan State would head to the half with a one-goal lead.
SECOND HALF
Lauren Boafo made a great save in the opening minutes of the second half to keep it a one goal MSU lead. A couple minutes after that, however, WMU was given a red card and had to play with 10 the rest of the game.
Despite being down a player, Western Michigan showed exceptional grit to keep the game close. Moments after the red card, Boafo had a tremendous save and the Broncos cleared a ball off the line. In the 58th minute, WMU was again able to clear a ball off the line.
Then, in the 65th minute, Blitchok had a great chance blocked out front and Brooke Bailey had a shot miss just wide of the net. A few moments after that, a Blitchok header sputtered just wide of the net. MSU started to apply some more pressure as the game progressed, but Boafo was there to make a great save in the 76th minute.
With under 10 minutes to play, MSU found the back of the net to make it a 3-1 game. The Spartans would go on to close out the game with a two-goal victory.
