Central Michigan University
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Western Michigan
Soccer Drops Rival Western Michigan, 1-0
10/3/2004 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
Oct. 3, 2004
MOUNT PLEASANT - A dominating defensive performance and a highlight-reel goal led the Central Michigan University soccer team to a 1-0 victory over rival Western Michigan at home on Sunday afternoon.
"I am proud of our squad because they played all 90 minutes with great passion and heart," said head coach Tony DiTucci. "We stayed aggressive all match long even when we had the lead and played smart on defense not allowing them to run the set plays they wanted to. It was a total team effort and that is what is needed to be successful in the MAC."
CMU improves to 6-4-2 overall and is undefeated in its last four matches, all shutouts. The Chippewas now sit in second-place in the Mid-American Conference with a 4-1-2 record and 14 points. That is two points behind first-place Ohio, who has a record of 5-0-2 in the conference. Western Michigan falls to 8-3-1 overall and 4-2-1 in the conference. The loss was the first on the road for the Broncos.
The lone goal of the match occurred in the 40th minute when Alison Heydorn hooked up with Jacquie Lacek for her third goal of the season. Lacek began the rush up field off a free kick, dribbling past a pair of WMU defenders to get in the clear. She then served up a 40 yard crossing pass into the box to Heydorn, who headed the ball into the top left corner of the net from seven yards out.
The Chippewas defense held WMU to six shots with only one of those on goal. Goalkeeper Anne Decker made that one save for the fifth shutout of the season and the 11th of her career. Western entered the match second in the conference in shots per match with 16.4.
CMU recorded 14 shots and two corners in the contest. Nine of CMU's shots were on goal as Western keeper Kate Perz made eight saves in the loss.
The Chippewas play only one match next weekend. They host Akron on Friday at 3 p.m.
