Central Michigan University Athletics
Soccer Heads to Oakland for Holiday Inn Select Classic
8/31/2004 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
Aug. 31, 2004
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Oakland's Holiday Inn Select Classic is the next destination for the Central Michigan University soccer team as it looks to break through for its first victory.
The Chippewas will play Marquette on Friday, September 3, and Illinois State on Sunday, September 5. CMU will not play host Oakland during the classic held at the OU soccer complex in Rochester.
HEAD COACH TONY DITUCCI:
"This week it is important that we focus on the match ahead and not the past. Last weekend was tough for the team because we were so close, but couldn't finish our opportunities. We have to look at things rationally and not get too emotional about what happened. We played good enough to win both matches but the inability to capitalize on opportunities did us in.
"This team is close to being successful and reaching its potential. We just need to fine tune a couple areas. I like the position we are in right now because the problems we had last weekend are things the team can control and change. Their is no need for a massive overhaul because the ability to be a solid squad is there. If we play together, focused and confident, I expect things to turn around quickly. "
THIS WEEK • Marquette:
Golden Eagles enter match with CMU holding a 1-1-0 record ... split a pair of games in the Milwaukee Cup last weekend ... lost its first match of the season, falling to Indiana, 4-0 ... rebounded with a victory over South Dakota State, 1-0 ... met CMU once before with the Golden Eagles winning at home, 1-0, in 2001 ... picked in the preseason coaches poll to finish fourth in Conference USA.
THIS WEEK • Illinois State:
Record of 1-0-0 this season ... defeated Valparaiso at home Friday, 2-1 ... all-time series with CMU tied at one ... CMU won last meeting, a 1-0 victory in overtime last season ... plays St. Louis at home on Tuesday and at Oakland on Friday ... picked by in preseason poll by Missouri Valley coaches to win conference title.
OPPORTUNITIES A PLENTY:
CMU had a combined 39 shots last weekend with 24 of those on goal. The problem for the Chippewas was they only scored one goal. Jacquie Lacek had 12 shots, nine on goal, and Alison Heydorn had 11, eight on goal. The two did combine to score CMU's lone goal with Lacek tipping a pass from Heydorn into the net to tie the score with Detroit at one.
"I have great confidence in our offense and its ability to score goals," said DiTucci. "Jacquie and Alison are proven scorers and it is not a matter of if they will get going, but when. Our offensive unit needs to recognize that composure comes with confidence. The players need to believe that each time we have the ball, they have the opportunity to score. I expect that attitude will prevail."
FIRST STARTS:
Two Chippewas earned their first starts in a CMU uniform last weekend. Junior transfer Jessie Jandasek started at forward while true freshman Erin Douglas started on defense. Three other true freshman saw playing time during the weekend: Kelly Dougherty and Laura Gaesser in both matches and Grace Gorton against DePaul.
CLOSING NUMBERS:
CMU outshot its opponents 39-22 last weekend ... Over the past two seasons CMU is 0-3-1 in the opening weekend and 2-1-1 in the second weekend ... CMU is 1-3 against Conference USA foes ... Illinois State is the only Missouri Valley team CMU has played.
