Men’s Soccer Puts Winning Streak on Line Against No. 11 Western Michigan

SPRINGFIELD – Missouri State men’s soccer (5-2-0, 2-0-0 Missouri Valley Conference) returns to the site of last season’s MVC Tournament for a rematch of the title game against the No. 11-ranked Western Michigan Broncos (6-0-3, 1-0-1 MVC) for an early kickoff on Saturday, Sept. 28 at 11:00 a.m. CT. The game will be streamed on wmubroncos.com/watch.

On The Pitch

• Missouri State is coming off back-to-back 12-win seasons under head coach Michael Seabolt, who is in his third season at the helm of the program. MoState has won at least 12 games each season since 2019. 

• Since the beginning of the 2019 season, Missouri State men’s soccer holds the best DI I overall record of 76-13-8 (.825), best conference record of 41-2-3 (.924) and third-best home record of 43-6-4 (.849). The Bears were tied for the 18th-best win percentage in 2023 (.711).

• MSU has made five straight NCAA appearances, joining Kentucky, Indiana, Wake Forest, Pittsburgh, New Hampshire, Georgetown, Marshall and Clemson as the only nine DI teams in the nation to make every tournament since 2019.

• The Bears extended their winning streak to four matches with a 3-1 victory over the UIC Flames on Saturday to start MVC play 2-0. It was Missouri State’s first win of the season when allowing a goal and third win by multiple goals.

• MoState has the nation’s highest shot accuracy, with 51 of 87 shots being on goal (.586). Missouri State was fourth in that category last season with 124 of 240 shots being on goal (.517). Senior forward Jesus Barea is seventh individually in the nation in shot accuracy with 26 of 37 shots being on goal (.703), He was fourth in shot accuracy last year (.604).

• Senior forward Fumiya Shiraishi scored his first goal of the season and as a Bear with a penalty kick goal in the 47th minute against UIC. It was Shiraishi’s sixth career DI goal along with his five at Florida International. 

• Senior forward James Jennings scored his second game-winning goal in as many games in the 83rd minute against UIC. It was also his sixth career goal to go along with his six career assists. His three assists this season lead the team.

• Barea leads the nation in goals per game (1.29), shots per game (5.29) and shots on goal per game (3.71). He is also tied in points per game (2.71) with Wisconsin’s Dean Boltz. Barea is second in total goals (9) behind UMass’ Alec Hughes (10). Barea leads the MVC in goals (9), points (19), shots on goal (26) and shots per game (5.29). He is tied in total shots (37) with Bowling Green’s Trace Terry, but has done so in two fewer matches.

• Barea took sole possession of third in all-time Missouri State history in goals (28) and points (72) and is second in shots (217). He trails Jamal Sutton (2000-03) by 19 shots (236) for the program record in shots taken.

• Barea has led the Bears to average the seventh-most shots on goal per game in Division I (7.29). Missouri State was 16th in the category last season (6.53).

• Missouri State’s stifling defense has allowed one penalty kick goal during its four-match winning streak. The Bears have only allowed four shots on goal in that span. MoState is outshooting opponents 87-43 across the season.

• Senior goalkeeper Harry Townsend’s 25 career solo shutouts are the second most among active DI goalkeepers behind Duke’s Wessel Speel with 26. Townsend is tied with Liam Priestley for third in shutouts in program history, two shy of Michael Creek’s record of 27.

Series History vs. Western Michigan

• The Missouri State Bears and Western Michigan Broncos go head-to-head for the fifth time overall and first time at WMU Soccer Complex during the regular season. The series is tied at 2-2 with the Broncos winning each matchup last season, 2-1.

• The two teams most recently met in last year’s MVC Tournament championship match on Nov. 11, 2023 hosted by No. 16 Western Michigan. MAC Hermann finalist Charlie Sharp scored both WMU goals, including the game-winner in the 89th minute to snap Missouri State’s three-year tournament winning streak.

• In last season’s regular season meeting in Springfield, midfielder Daniel Normann scored the first goal of the match seconds before halftime. WMU scored twice within a minute in the second half to win.

Scouting the Broncos

• No. 11 Western Michigan enters Saturday’s match 6-0-3 with a 1-0-1 MVC record. The Broncos tied Belmont, 1-1, to open conference play and most recently defeated Evansville, 2-1.

• The Broncos hold a program-record 30-match unbeaten streak that goes back to last season. The last and only team to beat WMU since 2022 was No. 12 Vermont in the teams’ 2023 opener. The Broncos opened this season with wins over No. 14 Vermont, No. 9 New Hampshire and have wins against No. 9 Northwestern and No. 25 Dayton. WMU was ranked as high as No. 4 last month, tying a program-high.

• Western Michigan leads the MVC in save percentage (.806), goals against average (.778) and fewest fouls per game (10.11). It is also tied for third in the nation in assists per game (3), tied for eighth in goal differential (+13), tied for 10th in points per game (7.44) and 24th in goals per game (2.22). 

• Nine WMU players combine for the team’s 20 goals this season. Michigan State transfer Greyson Mercer leads the team with four goals, two against No. 14 Vermont and against Villanova. Midfielders Carson Hodgson, Noah James and forward Roni Sylejmani each have three goals. 

• Following the departure of All-American goalkeeper Ethan Brandt, who was drafted by the LA Galaxy, Memphis transfer Colin Welsh has been the last line of defense for the Broncos. After 50 career matches with the Tigers from 2021-23, he has 28 saves on seven goals allowed this season. Walsh is tied for 28th in DI in save percentage (.800) and has helped the team to 25th in the nation in team goals against average (.778).