Women's Soccer

Broncos Take Over Top Spot with Rivalry Victory

Thursday’s Women’s Soccer Results
Western Michigan 3, Eastern Michigan 1
Miami 1, Ohio 0
Akron 1, Central Michigan 0
UMass 0, Buffalo 0
Toledo 1, Bowling Green 1
Ball State 0, Kent State 0
Stories Courtesy of MAC Athletic Communications Departments

Western Michigan 3, Eastern Michigan 1
Box Score
KALAMAZOO, Mich – In a rivalry week match-up against Eastern Michigan, it was the Broncos who came out on top by a score of 3-0. The victory puts WMU at 5-1-1 in the MAC and positions them at first place in the conference standings. 

Goal scorers in the contest were Camryn Huhn, Taryn DeShane, and Kaiya Stewart. 

FIRST HALF 
Early offense has been the key for the Broncos throughout conference play, and it was no different in Ypsilanti. After the Broncos earned a corner kick in the 8th minute, Simone Sharpless found Camryn Huhn trailing towards the net who then volleyed the shot into the bottom left corner, putting the Broncos up 1-0. Huhn now has three goals on the season.  

The Brown and Gold then found themselves on their back foot a bit, defending a 25-yard set piece from Eastern that ended up in no scoring opportunity. 

From there, the Broncos would yet again show their defensive skill by blocking two straight shots from EMU. After the first 45 minutes, the Eagles would not have an official shot on goal.

Broncos led at half, 1-0. 

SECOND HALF 
Once again, the Broncos started out a half with energy as a Meredith Vance corner kick found the head of Taryn DeShane, who finished the job for a 2-0 Broncos lead.  

The goal marked the first for DeShane in her time at WMU.  

Aiming for a victory that puts them at first-place in the MAC, the Broncos continued to play solid defense throughout the rest of the half. Having not yet allowed a shot on goal through the first 84 minutes, WMU extended its lead as Kaiya Stewart floated a shot of her own from 25 yards to the left of the box right over the head of the EMU goalkeeper.  

Eventually, the Eagles would record shots on goal of their own. The first of which was saved by Sulaver, but the second of which sneaked by her to make the game 3-1 in the 88th minute. 

As the clock hit 90 minutes, the Broncos won by a score of 3-1.

Miami 1, Ohio 0
Box Score
OXFORD, Ohio — The Miami University soccer team dominated the second half in a 1-0 win at home against Ohio University. A career day for Averie Bierker and another shutout by Dominique Popa paved the way in the RedHawks' rivalry win. The RedHawks move to 7-5-3 (3-1-3) with the result. OU is now 4-8-1 (1-5-1).

HOW IT HAPPENED
  • In the 11th minute, Kailyn Morrison made a run down the sideline and Bierker received the cross and danced around the keeper, but she couldn't get a shot off.
  • In the 19th minute, Katie O'Malley made a step-over move and sent in a cross. Kayla Perfect's shot hit the crossbar and Millie Cook's rebound attempt went wide left.
  • Amelia Kusinski, in the 25th minute, made a cutback and her defender fell, leading to a corner, but the Miami could not capitalize.
  • In the 34th minute, Popa made a save in the splits to deny a Bobcat breakaway.
  • At the start of the second half, Popa made a diving save to keep Ohio off the board.
  • Bierker's speed and shot required a full-extension save from the Bobcat goalkeeper in the 51st minute.
  • The RedHawks took the lead in the 55th minute. Sophia Penegor played a long ball, Perfect chipped it over the goalkeeper, and Bierker controlled it and tapped it in.
  • In the 64th minute, a free kick taken by O'Malley resulted in an open header by Cook, but the shot went wide left.
  • Morhéa Hoefen crossed the ball to the far post, where O'Malley headed it on goal. The header was saved and the rebound shot by Jennings was also saved in the 68th minute.
  • In the 70th minute, Morgan Tyrakoski ran past her defender and made a move around the goalie, but the trail defender stepped in to stop the effort.
  • Kayla Perfect had an open, left footed shot in the 74th minute, but it went wide right.
  • Devin McElroy crossed the ball from the left side of the box to Bierker, but the shot was saved in the 77th minute.
  • Miami held off the Bobcats in the game's final minutes to seal their third MAC win of the season.
Akron 1, Central Michigan 0
Box Score
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. — All it took was a spark.

In a scoreless battle against Central Michigan in the 59th minute, goalkeeper Sara Bower kicked a high, arcing ball to midfield. It was quickly gathered by Allie McMillen, who passed a beautiful through ball to Jordanne Oberhaus as she beat two defenders and curled the ball into the back of the net to break the knot.

It proved to be the difference, as the Zips won, 1-0, notching only their fourth all-time win in 26 meetings against the Chippewas. Akron recorded their third MAC victory of the season — their most conference wins since 2020. Last season, Oberhaus buried the game-winning goal against CMU in the 83rd minute.

The Chippewas outshot the Zips, 13-8, and Bower saved six shots in net for her fifth shutout of the season. The senior also moved into second all-time in Akron history in career saves with 215.