The Western Michigan University men’s soccer team faces Detroit Mercy in a non-conference match on Tuesday night, traveling back to Michigan following a 1-0 victory at Bowling Green on Friday. Freshman midfielder Josh Nicholson scored his first collegiate goal in the 28th minute to snap a two-game losing skid to start Missouri Valley Conference play, while redshirt senior goalkeeper Alex Lindewirth recorded six saves to secure his second clean sheet of 2026.
Broncos Look to Build on Milestone Performances in Detroit
Western Michigan’s road win over Bowling Green produced several collegiate firsts across the roster. Josh Nicholson earned his first career goal, game-winner, and points, while sophomore midfielder Liam Biggers notched his first collegiate assist after appearing in 23 matches for the program. Additional depth contributors have also recorded early milestones in 2026, including redshirt sophomore defender Adam Matej Smolcic with an assist against Bryant, and junior midfielder Kyle Pierson adding an assist following a previous stop.
Statistically, the Broncos feature prominent individual leaders within the Missouri Valley Conference. Offensively, forward Vitor Geromel paces Western Michigan with four goals across nine matches, ranking second in the conference. Junior forward Sahel Yessen adds three assists, good for third overall in the MVC after picking up another helper against Bowling Green.
Sibling Rivalry Highlights Pitch Matchup Against the Titans
Tuesday’s contest carries a distinct family connection as Western Michigan midfielder Kyle Pierson matches up against his twin brother, Drew, who plays as a defender for Detroit Mercy. It marks the second career collegiate meeting between the brothers, following a match last season when Kyle played for the Michigan men’s soccer program in a 4-0 win over the Titans. The Pierson family history with Detroit Mercy extends back to 2019, when older brother Ryan played for the program for four seasons.
Both Western Michigan and Detroit Mercy enter the Tuesday fixture holding identical 2-6-1 overall records. While the Broncos stand at 1-0 in conference play, the Titans hold a 1-2 conference mark following a 2-1 homecoming victory over Purdue Fort Wayne that halted a four-game skid. Detroit Mercy’s offense relies heavily on sophomore forward Thero Mitchell III, who leads the team in overall points with three goals and three assists, and junior midfielder Johnny Strickler, who has scored four goals through nine matches.
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