After last season’s 5-11 record, the Western men’s soccer team was looking for a way to win.

The Toppers are coming off a season that saw them finish near the bottom in nearly every statistical category in the Missouri Valley Conference.

But thanks to a number of changes, Western turned into one of the top offensive teams in the conference.

The Toppers (7-6-1, 1-3-1 MVC) rank second in goals (25), and lead the conference in shots (208) and shots-on-goal (91) before playing Vanderbilt last night.

Despite the success on offense, the numbers have not drastically improved from last season. The statistics are on pace to equal that of last season’s five-win team.

Sophomore defender Chris Davies said it has been the defensive improvements that have contributed to the offense’s success.

“Coach is hard on defense,” he said. “If you don’t give up goals, then you always have a chance to win.”

So far, the Toppers have proven Davies’ statement to be true.

Western ranks third in the Missouri Valley in saves (50), and fourth in goals against (16) and goals against average (1.33). Western also has collected six shutouts this season.

Individual efforts have contributed to the Toppers success. Senior midfielder Richard Mupfudze ranks third in the conference in goals with seven, and sophomore goalkeeper Kyle Schroeder is second in the conference with 47 saves.

The Toppers have played three teams that have appeared in the top-25, with one team, No. 15 Creighton, still to play. They are 1-2 in the matches with ranked opponents.

Western also has changed its game strategy multiple times this season, which has kept teams guessing on both sides of the ball.

“Switching to a flat-back four system has gotten the offense into the attack,” Schroeder said. “It’s really helped out that way.”

Mupfudze said a key to the team’s success is the coordinated effort by the defense sweeping the ball through midfield to get it to the offense.

Western has undergone numerous position changes over the course of the season. Players like senior midfielder Steven Medlock moved from forward,

and Mupfudze moved from midfield.

“We’ve kinda been trying to work the perfect way to play that strategy,”

Mupfudze said. “And it’s been looking good so far. said. “And it’s been looking good so far more creativity between the midfield and the offense.”

Coach David Holmes said the team will need to be at its best during the final three games of the regular season as they play for a spot in the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament.

“We’re playing two excellent teams this weekend,” Holmes said. “Vanderbilt and Creighton are two of the best teams in the league. We’re gonna have to bring our A+ game to Nashville, and on Saturday for Senior Night.”

Reach David Harten at sports@wkuherald.com.