KALAMAZOO, Mich. (September 6, 2024) – No. 9 Northwestern battled for all 90 minutes, ultimately falling by a 1-0 final to No. 4 Western Michigan (4-0-1) this evening at the WMU Soccer Complex in Kalamazoo, Mich.
Â
Tonight's defeat sees the Wildcats' season-opening four-game win streak come to an end and brings Northwestern to 4-1 on the year.
Â
How It Happened
Northwestern was tested early on, seeing off a Western Michigan corner kick in the game's opening minute. Owen Smith came tantalizingly close to putting the hosts in front in the 14th minute, putting his close-range effort wide at the near post.
Â
The 'Cats began to ask questions of the Broncos' as time wore on, generating a pair of corner kicks just past the quarter-hour mark. Rafael Ponce de León came up with a vital stop in the 34th minute, corralling Alex Makovski's header from the edge of the six-yard box to send the two teams to halftime in a scoreless stalemate.
Â
Western Michigan broke the deadlock just over two minutes into the second half when Carson Hodgson's left-footed attempt from 25 yards out found its way inside the far post, staking the hosts to a 1-0 lead. Brandon Clagette looked to provide a response in the 55th minute, but saw his try from 15 yards out smothered by Broncos' netminder Colin Welsh.
Â
Collin McCamy had his sights set on an equalizer in the 75th minute, forcing another stop out of Welsh with a left-footed free kick.Â
Â
With time ticking away, the 'Cats mounted one final push. Nigel Prince forced Welsh to punch his headed try away in the closing minute off a McCamy corner kick. Despite consistent late pressure, Northwestern was unable to find the back of the net as Western Michigan held on for a 1-0 victory.
Â
Looking At The Numbers
- Western Michigan owned an 11-5 edge in shots, but both sides put three shots on target.
           - McCamy paced the 'Cats with three shots on the night.
- Northwestern finished with a narrow 5-4 advantage in corner kicks.
- Ponce de León tallied a pair of saves in goal.
- Prince and Bryant Mayer joined Ponce de León in playing a full 90 minutes.
Â
Up Next
Northwestern returns to Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium on Monday, September 9 to host Marquette in a 6 p.m. kickoff.
Â
Tonight's defeat sees the Wildcats' season-opening four-game win streak come to an end and brings Northwestern to 4-1 on the year.
Â
Gallery: (9-6-2024) Men's Soccer at Western Michigan
How It Happened
Northwestern was tested early on, seeing off a Western Michigan corner kick in the game's opening minute. Owen Smith came tantalizingly close to putting the hosts in front in the 14th minute, putting his close-range effort wide at the near post.
Â
The 'Cats began to ask questions of the Broncos' as time wore on, generating a pair of corner kicks just past the quarter-hour mark. Rafael Ponce de León came up with a vital stop in the 34th minute, corralling Alex Makovski's header from the edge of the six-yard box to send the two teams to halftime in a scoreless stalemate.
Â
Western Michigan broke the deadlock just over two minutes into the second half when Carson Hodgson's left-footed attempt from 25 yards out found its way inside the far post, staking the hosts to a 1-0 lead. Brandon Clagette looked to provide a response in the 55th minute, but saw his try from 15 yards out smothered by Broncos' netminder Colin Welsh.
Â
Collin McCamy had his sights set on an equalizer in the 75th minute, forcing another stop out of Welsh with a left-footed free kick.Â
Â
With time ticking away, the 'Cats mounted one final push. Nigel Prince forced Welsh to punch his headed try away in the closing minute off a McCamy corner kick. Despite consistent late pressure, Northwestern was unable to find the back of the net as Western Michigan held on for a 1-0 victory.
Â
Looking At The Numbers
- Western Michigan owned an 11-5 edge in shots, but both sides put three shots on target.
           - McCamy paced the 'Cats with three shots on the night.
- Northwestern finished with a narrow 5-4 advantage in corner kicks.
- Ponce de León tallied a pair of saves in goal.
- Prince and Bryant Mayer joined Ponce de León in playing a full 90 minutes.
Â
Up Next
Northwestern returns to Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium on Monday, September 9 to host Marquette in a 6 p.m. kickoff.