By: Stephen Wagner
GREEN BAY, Wis. (GreenBayPhoenix.com) – The Green Bay men's soccer team took a break from Horizon League play this afternoon for a matchup with Western Michigan. The Phoenix (4-7-3) let up two goals in the first half and one in the second to fall to the Broncos 3-0 at the WMU Soccer Complex.
Western Michigan (8-3-2) found the back of the net in the ninth minute of play for the first scoring strike of the match. The Broncos' Nick Wysong fired the ball to the right back corner after approaching from the left side, beating Green Bay's keeper and collecting Western Michigan a 1-0 advantage.
The Phoenix defense tightened up and only allowed two shots to be taken from the Western Michigan offense in the next 20 minutes, both of which sailed clear of the goal. However, in the 32nd minute of play, the Broncos struck again. This time the goal was aided by a free kick that was played to Connor Furgason, allowing him to poke it in on the opposite side to take a 2-0 lead before halftime.
Trailing 2-0, the Phoenix entered the second half of play with a sense of urgency. At the 64:04 mark, Green Bay turned in its second shot in a 30-second period that almost managed to find mesh, this one being a Jordan Etsio attempt that was turned away by a Broncos' defender after it made its way past the keeper.
Western Michigan increased its lead in the 80th minute of play after Greg Timmer fired at the right side of Green Bay goal's from 25 yards out, placing the ball just out of Kyle Ihn's grasp for Western Michigan's third goal of the match.
The Broncos picked up three team saves in the second half of play, clearing balls off the line to deflate Green Bay's hopes of cutting into the advantage.
Green Bay recorded seven shots in the contest and placed five of its attempts on-goal. The Phoenix held an advantage over Western Michigan in corner kicks 5-3.
Henry Hilling played 61 minutes and recorded team highs in shots (three) and shots on-goal (two).
Green Bay will return to the field on Saturday at noon when the team travels to Highland Heights, Ky., for a matchup with Northern Kentucky at NKU Soccer Stadium.
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