#6 Western Michigan Returns To MAC Championship Following Win Over #7 NIU
Courtesy of Western Michigan Athletic Communications
Western Michigan 1, Northern Illinois 0
BUFFALO -- For the second straight season the Western Michigan women's soccer team advances to the Mid-American Conference Tournament Championship after defeated Northern Illinois, 1-0, on Friday night.
The Broncos lone goal came in the 32nd minute scored by super sub Emma Kahn. Kahn received a cross in the box and her initial shot was saved but she was able to punch in her rebound for her fifth goal of the season.
WMU dominated from that point on, not allowing a single shot by the Huskies to earn the shutout.
"I was very proud of the performance today," said head coach Nate Norman. "We played very well against a very good opponent so we feel very fortunate to come away with the victory."
Kahn's game-winning goal was her fourth on the season, all coming off the bench. The freshman forward also scored the game-winner over Eastern Michigan to send the Broncos to the Semifinals.
"Emma has been great all season," added Norman. "It was a great goal she scored today and she seems to be always finding herself in dangerous areas."
Western Michigan outshot NIU 14-1 on the day and freshman goalkeeper Stephanie Heber didn't need to make a save to earn her ninth shutout of the season.
The Broncos battle hosts Buffalo on Sunday at noon. WMU went up to Buffalo and tied the Bulls 2-2 in the regular season, one of just two MAC games that UB failed to win.
