KALAMAZOO, Mich. - The Fighting Leatherneck men's soccer squad (4-4-1) used one goal and six saves to shutout the Western Michigan Broncos (3-5-0) on the road Sunday afternoon.  

"We played another good first half, had some decent looks and capitalized on one of them," said head coach Dr. Eric Johnson. "It was really nice to finish a tough weekend like this with a result on the road."

Western Illinois' Nathan Bruinsma put the Leathernecks up 1-0 at the fifth minute. Bruinsma was able to block the keeper's clearing attempt, gain control of the ball and bury it for his second goal of the season.

Western controlled the remainder of the first, out-shooting the Broncos 6-2, putting four shots on goal.

The Broncos turned up the heat on two-time Summit League 'Defensive Player of the Week' awardee, Western Illinois goalkeeper Andy Ryan in the second, out-shooting the Leathernecks, 8-4. However, Ryan was able to stop all five shots that Western Michigan sent his way.

"Andy played another really impressive game in net for us," said Johnson of Ryan. "They (Western Michigan) really put a lot of pressure on us in the second and Andy kept the ball out of our net."

The two teams each finished with 10 shots, with the Broncos putting six on goal to the Leathernecks' four.

Ryan finished the contest with six saves, while Bronco goalkeeper Matt Murrell finished with four.

With the win, the Leathernecks improve to 4-4-1 on the year and the Broncos fall to 3-5.

The Leathernecks also improve their all-time series record against Western Michigan to 6-1-2.

The Leathernecks open Summit League action at home this Friday against Eastern Illinois. The match at John MacKenzie Alumni Field is scheduled to get underway at 3 p.m.