Lady Broncos Soccer Update

The Western Michigan University women’s soccer team is ready to get their 2005 season underway. The Broncos open up the season when they travel to Burlington, Vermont this weekend to take part in the TD Banknorth Classic Tournament at Centennial Field.

The Broncos ranked 15th in the Great Lakes Region by Soccer Buzz Magazine are one of four teams that will take part in the tournament. The Broncos will play against Vermont on Friday at 4:30pm and New Hampshire on Sunday at 10:30am. Notre Dame, the defending NCAA champions will also be competing in the tournament but will not be playing the Broncos because the Tournament Champion will be decided by total points (2 points for a win and 1 point for a tie).

Heading into the tournament Broncos head coach Mike Haines, who only needs 2 wins to record his 100th collegiate victory (8 years with the Broncos and 2 years at Kalamazoo College) commented on the competition the Broncos will see, “We are going to face some very good competition. Vermont (ranked 13th in the Northeast by Soccer Buzz Magazine) is one of the most improved teams in the nation and New Hampshire is regionally ranked. It’s going to be a true test for us.”

The Broncos have never played against Vermont and New Hampshire and will be led by senior middle fielder Andrea Tyler. Tyler has played in every game since joining the Broncos three years ago and will start her 63rd consecutive game on Friday. In goal for the Broncos is senior Kate Perz. Perz needs just one win this season to become the Broncos all-time winningest goalkeeper. She is currently tied with Jennifer Haller who claimed the all-time record from 1996-1999 when she won 25 games for the Brown and Gold.

In an exhibition game last Sunday in Kalamazoo, the Broncos suffered a 3-0 loss to the Northwestern Wildcats with all three goals, including a penalty kick goal, coming in the second half of the game.

Following this weekends action the Broncos will play two more games on the road (Oakland on September 2 and Oklahoma on September 9) before returning to Kalamazoo to take on DePaul on September 11.