KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Toledo scored first but ultimately fell to first-place Western Michigan, 3-1, in Kalamazoo on Thursday afternoon in the regular-season finale for both schools. 

The loss knocked the Toledo (7-9-2, 4-6-1 MAC) out of the Mid-American Conference Tournament, which begins on Sunday. For Western Michigan, the victory clinched an outright regular-season MAC title and the No. 1 seed in the conference tournament.

Sophomore Brooklyn Whitehead scored the opening goal barley four minutes into the game, giving Toledo confidence that it could upset the Broncos and earn a spot in the league playoffs. But Western Michigan tied the game going into halftime and then scored two more in the second half to end the Rockets' season.

Toledo ends the 2023 season with seven wins, five more than in 2022 when the Rockets went 2-10-6.

"I am very proud of this group," first-year head coach Mark Batman said. "The team gave us everything they had. They have made tremendous improvements in a short amount of time. This is just the start, and we are so excited about the direction of this group. A special thank you to our seniors and our fifth-year players too. They welcomed us in with open arms and I'm sure that was not easy for them, but we are so grateful for them."

Goals and Key Moments

• 4' | Senior Emily Mann took a shot from 18 yards out and sophomore Brooklyn Whitehead headed the ball to the back of the net and put Toledo on the board, 1-0.
• 8' | Western Michigan's Madison Cotta was awarded a free kick and her shot to the top right corner was deflected off the crossbar
• 17' | WMU's Bria Telemaque had a chance to tie the game, but her shot was kicked by senior Rylee Michaels before it could cross the goal line.
• 23' | Western Michigan tied the game at 1-1 on a goal by Jen Blitchok.
• 44' | Redshirt freshman Brielle Young made a huge diving save for the Rockets at the right post to reject Jaden Peck's shot and keep the game deadlocked.
• 55' | WMU took a 2-1 lead off a Blitchok header from inside the box.
• 75' | The Broncos pushed ahead 3-1 with a goal by Jenna Blackburn.

Stats, Notes, and Numbers

• Whitehead led the offense with two shots and scored her third goal this year.
• Mann recorded her second assist of the season and third of her career.
• Young made four saves against the Broncos for a total of 80 saves this season.
• Junior Chloe Tadolini made her first start of the season.
• Toledo is now 10-18-4 all-time vs. Western Michigan.