Western Michigan Broncos Claim 2015 MAC Tournament Title
Championship Bracket
Video: WMU's Lindsey Lee
Video: WMU Head Coach Nate Norman
Box Score
KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- The Western Michigan women's soccer team scored two goals in the second half and stifled the RedHawk attack to shutout Miami, 2-0, en route to winning the program's third Mid-American Conference Tournament Championship on Sunday afternoon at the WMU Soccer Complex.
Emma Kahn netted the game-winning goal in the 58th minute and Irene Young added an insurance goal in the 78th minute for the Broncos (14-3-4). Stephanie Heber made two saves in the shoutout. The win tied the WMU program record for wins in a season with 14. Kahn, Heber, Lindsey Lee and Kylie Nylen represented Western Michigan on the MAC All-Tournament Team.
"It feels great," said head coach Nate Norman, who became the only coach in program history to win two MAC Tournament Championships and lead his team to two NCAA Women's College Cup berths. "The girls did a fantastic job. Miami is a fantastic team and it was a very competitive game. They presented a lot of challenges but I was proud of our girls to keep battling. I was so proud of how they played, and to beat a quality team like Miami makes it so much more special."
Western Michigan carried play in the first half, outshooting Miami 4-0. Gina Maddi put one off the cross bar in the 16th minute and Kahn fired a shot just wide from the middle of the box in the 30th minute but the Broncos didn't get it past RedHawk keeper Vic Maniaci.
"I think in the first half we started off well but as the half wore on I think Miami did a great job of getting a hold of some of the play," Norman added. "We talked about picking up the energy in the second half and leaving it all out of the field and I definitely thought they did that."
Another adjustment by Norman was to only play three defenders on the back line to open the second half to increase the attacking pressure. It worked.
In the 58th minute Liz Abro fired a shot from the top of the box. The low-line drive shot was saved by Maniaci but she didn't hold on to the rebound. Kahn was deep in the box and pounced on it for her 12th goal of the season to give WMU a 1-0 lead.
"Miami is so strong defensively, it was hard to generate really quality chances in the first half," said Norman. "They are so organized back there, so we thought putting another number forward and get more numbers in attack to open it up."
The Broncos pushed the lead to 2-0 on Young's fifth goal of the season in the 78th minute. The senior forward lined up to take a corner kick and placed it at the near post. The ball deflected off a Miami defender and rolled into the net.
Western Michigan's defense, led by Lee, then clamped down and only allowed three total shots in the game.
"This means everything," said the senior centerback and team captain. "It is my senior season and these girls are my family and we wanted to do it for each other. We come out to practice and work hard for each other every day. We prepared for this and we executed."
Western Michigan awaits its NCAA Women's College Cup fate. The 2015 Women's Soccer Selection Show will be broadcast live on NCAA.com on Monday afternoon at 4:30 p.m.
MAC All-Tournament Team
Annabelle Hegeman - Akron
Jenna Andersen - Akron
Kristin Markiewicz - Buffalo
Moira Petrie - Buffalo
Jess Bronke - Miami
Lauren Kelly - Miami
Shannon Stearns - Miami
Stephanie Heber - Western Michigan
Emma Kahn - Western Michigan
Lindsey Lee - Western Michigan
Kylie Nylen - Western Michigan
