Western Michigan scored four times in the first half as the Broncos spoiled Valparaiso's home opener 4-0 on Sunday afternoon at a rainy Eastgate Field.

The Broncos got on the scoreboard just 3:58 into the match when Andrea Tyler lofted the ball over the Crusader defense and above the arms of Valpo goalkeeper Becky Maynard (Munster, Ind./Munster H.S.) from 25 yards out.

Less than a minute later, Valpo went down to ten players after receiving a red card, and played short the remaining 85 minutes of the match.

Tyler then added her second of the match at the 18:13 mark chipping the ball into the net from about 15 yards out.

Michelle Palazzolo added Western Michigan's third goal when she dribbled in from midfield and beat Maynard from 15 yards out at the 33:40 mark. Eight minutes later, Nicole Primmer closed out the scoring from ten yards out on the left side.

Maynard made five saves in the first half, while Bronco goalie Kate Perz faced just one shot, an opportunity from the right side by Lindsay Holley (Waldorf, Md./Westlake H.S.).

Kristen Templin (Madison, Wis./Middleton H.S.) came in for Maynard in the second half and made a pair of saves for the Brown and Gold.

Western Michigan (1-0) outshot the Crusaders 21-3 for the match, and held an 11-1 advantage on net.

Valparaiso (0-2) will return to action on Friday afternoon when they host Northern Colorado at Eastgate Field beginning at 4 p.m.