UE men’s soccer returns home for match with RV Western Michigan

0
It will be the team’s first match in Evansville since 1985
 
EVANSVILLE, Ind. — The University of Evansville men’s soccer team will be trying to use some of its home magic against the RV Western Michigan Broncos.

After a tough loss to the Bowling Green Falcons last week, the Purple Aces return to Arad McCutchan Stadium will be against another tough opponent. UE will face one of the three Valley teams receiving votes in the United Soccer Coaches Poll in the Broncos for the team’s first matchup since 2009. Evansville has the advantage of having a full week to prepare for Western Michigan for the visitor’s first match at McCutchan Stadium.

Despite having their comeback fall short last week, it was a record game for several Aces players against Bowling Green. Defender Nacho Diaz-Caneja scored his first collegiate goal against Bowling Green in the 64th minute with an assist from freshman winger Auden Engen Vik for his first collegiate point. Engen Vik also recorded multiple assists on Saturday, having a helper on both goals in Ohio. Senior forward Kai Phillip also set a career-high in Evansville’s game against the Falcons by taking six shots in the match.

The Broncos come into Saturday’s match with an unbeaten streak of nine matches. Western Michigan is a game away from matching last year’s best unbeaten streak of 10 games, in which they recorded nine wins and one tie for a program record. On offense, the Broncos are led by Dylan Sing and Charlie Sharp. The duo has combined for 14 of WMU’s 19 goals. Sharp is second on the WMU all-time scoring list with 30 goals and Sing is in a three-player tie with Tom Oatly (2004-07) and Mosen Khani (1979-82) for the fourth most goals scored in program history with 24 goals scored.

 UE put 11 shots on goal against Bowling Green, making them the best team in the Valley for shots on goal per game. UE is currently averaging 6.9 shots on goal over 90 minutes, which puts them at 10th in the nation among Division I teams. The Aces are also Top Ten in the nation in shot accuracy at no. seven with a 52.7% shot accuracy.

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR