KALAMAZOO, Michigan – The Western Michigan women’s soccer team will face Marquette tomorrow afternoon at the WMU Soccer Complex. The Broncos and Golden Eagles will begin play at 1 p.m.
LAST TIME
Western Michigan earned a tie against No. 24 Iowa on Thursday, August 22, at the WMU Soccer Complex.
Jen Blithcok scored the only goal for the Broncos, scoring her third of the season in the first half.
BLITCHOCKS NICE START
After receiving First Team All-MAC honors last season, Jen Blitchok has picked up right where she left off at the start of the 2024 season, scoring three goals in the team’s first two games, including two in the opening day win over Northern Kentucky.
Against Iowa earlier this week, Blitchok scored from near midway to help the Broncos to a tie against the nationally ranked Hawkeyes. Blitchok finished last season with nine goals, which ranks him third in school history.
WILBERDING’S SUCCESSFUL WEEK
After throwing a six-save shutout in her first career start for the Brown and Gold team against Northern Kentucky last week, Ava Wilberding was named MAC Defensive Player of the Week.
This season, Wilberding leads the conference in saves and shutouts and is among the MAC leaders in goals-against average and save percentage.
In search of the golden eagles
Marquette has had a slow start to 2024, entering Sunday’s game with a record of 0-2-1. They have a tie with Kansas City and losses to Colorado and Northwestern so far this season.
As a team, the Golden Eagles have scored just once. The team’s only goal came from Kate Gibson against Kansas City. Alexa Maletis provided the assist in that game.
Elise Krone started in goal in all three games and saved 17 shots. Her goals against average is 2.00 and her save percentage is 0.739.
The Golden Eagles defeated the Broncos 2-1 in Milwaukee last season and hold a 4-1 lead in the standings. WMU’s only win over Marquette came in the 2013 NCAA College Cup.
