Men’s Soccer Unveils 2024 Slate - Western Michigan University Athletics (2024)

KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Head Coach Chad Wiseman and the Western Michigan men's soccer team announced the 2024 season schedule Monday, June 24.

The 2024 campaign features two top 15 matchups against #9 New Hampshire and #14 University of Vermont and an away contest against in-state rival Detroit Mercy on October 22, where the Brown and Gold will look to extend their unbeaten streak against in-state foes to 16 consecutive matches without a loss.

The Broncos will play two exhibition games in preparation for the regular season, with a match at Xavier University, the defending BIG EAST Tournament champions on August 11, and a home tilt at WMU Soccer Complex against Loyola University Chicago on August 14.

On August 22, WMU will begin the regular season by hosting #14 Vermont at 5:30 PM. The Broncos will look to avenge last season's loss against the Catamounts at WMU Soccer Complex in the third-ever contest between the two programs. After the 2023 campaign, the UVM's 13-6-2 record earned them #14 in the United Soccer Coaches Poll after wins over the Broncos and #12 University of Central Florida in the NCAA Tournament round of 32. Vermont would eventually lose to #5 seed and NCAA College Cup semi-finalist West Virginia in the Sweet 16 2-1.

On August 25, Coach Wiseman and the Brown and Gold will face their first top-10 test against #9 New Hampshire. Last season, the Wildcats saw a 13-3-4 2023 with notable wins over #11 Florida International University on September 8, 2023 (2-1) and #16 Vermont on October 31, 2023 (2-0). UNH would lose to the eventual NCAA College Cup national champions Clemson in the round of 32 during last year's NCAA Tournament.

WMU and Akron University will renew their storied rivalry on August 30 at "The Farm".The Brown and Gold will look to continue their recent success against the Zips and will shoot for their fourth win in six contests against their foes from Ohio. The Broncos and Zips last faced off on November 12, 2022, in the MAC Tournament Championship game, where the Brown and Gold defeated Akron 2-1 behind goals from WMU alumni Charlie Sharp and Jaylen Shannon. Akron concluded the 2023 season ranked 45th in the RPI after posting a 9-2-7 record.

The Brown and Gold's annual Soccerfest will take place at "The Farm" on Labor Day, Monday, September 2, against Villanova at 3:00 PM. The Broncos and Wildcats will square off for the second time ever, following a 2-2 draw in Pennsylvania last season, the Brown and Gold will look to capture the program's first-ever victory over their Big East Conference foes.

Later in the week on Friday, September 6, at 5:30 PM, WMU will face off against Northwestern in the regular season for the first time in two years where they last defeated NU 3-0 on the road on Friday, September 9, 2022. Coach Wiseman and his squad will look to extend their unbeaten streak against Big Ten opponents to eight straight games without a loss. The Wildcats ended 2023 ranked 46th in the RPI after compiling a 10-4-3 record.

On Sunday September 8, at 1:00 PM, the Brown and Gold will welcome Air Force to Kalamazoo for Military Appreciation Day. One week later, the Broncos will begin Missouri Valley Conference play on Sunday, September 15, at Belmont University in Nashville Tennessee at 2:00 PM. The Broncos are looking to extend their series lead to 2-0 against the Bruins.

In late September, the Broncos will welcome back and celebrate their past players on Alumni Day versus the University of Evansville on Sunday, September 22 at 3:00 PM. At the conclusion of the week, WMU and their new rival Missouri State, will clash on Saturday, September 28, at the WMU Soccer Complex. Kickoff is slated for 12:00 PM. Missouri State is ranked 23rd in the RPI and received five votes in the United Coaches poll at the conclusion of 2023. Last year, the Broncos and Bears battled for MVC supremacy, with the Broncos defeating 10th-ranked Missouri State on the road 2-1 on October 22, 2023, after goals by WMU alumni Tom Cooklin and Sharp in the 74th and 75th minutes of the match. Later, in the MVC Tournament final on November 11, 2023, the Brown and Gold defeated the Bears 2-1 after two goals from Sharp by assisting alumni Jonathan Robinson and Dylan Sing.

On Saturday, October 26, at 12:00 PM, the Brown and Gold will host its Homecoming game at WMU Soccer Complex against Bradley University. The game will not be ticketed and all fans are welcome to the match. The men's soccer team will look to clinch their fourth win in their last five contests against the Braves, dating back to 2012. The Broncos currently lead the series 5-3-1.

On Wednesday, November 6, at 3:30 PM, the Broncos will welcome the University of Illinois Chicago to the WMU soccer complex for their final game of the regular season on Senior Day. Dating back to September 15, 1990, the men's soccer team and UIC have played a total of 14 matches, securing nearly an identical record against each other. On November 6, WMU will look to win two straight in the series since the 1990s and even the all-time matchup at 7-7-1. Last year, the Flames concluded the 2023 campaign ranked 37th in the RPI after posting an 11-5-3 record.

For all things WMU men's soccer, make sure to follow the team on Instagram @wmu_menssoccer, X @WMUMensSoccer, and Facebook @westernmichiganuniversitymenssoccer.