Central Michigan University Athletics
Soccer Travels to Indiana For a Pair of Matches
9/7/2004 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
Sept. 7, 2004
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The state of Indiana is the next destination for the Central Michigan University soccer team as it plays a pair of matches there this weekend.
The Chippewas play the final nonconference tune-up against IPFW on Friday, Sept. 10, in Fort Wayne, Ind., at 7 p.m. The Mid-American Conference opener is at Ball State on Sunday, Sept. 12, at 1 p.m.
HEAD COACH TONY DITUCCI:
"The team showed a lot of fight and mental toughness in the victory over Illinois State and that is something we want to build upon as the conference season approaches. We were a confident team in the match against ISU and it translated into goals and defensive stops.
"In terms of the defensive effort, I was pleased that we were able to limit the number of quality scoring chances Illinois State had. ISU was unable to generate dangerous scoring attempts in the second half because we worked together well as a unit and forced them to the outside. We also dominated in the air, and that makes it difficult for the opponent to build quality scoring chances.
"The offense was aggressive early and created opportunities from the beginning of the match. The unit anticipated well and made great decisions throughout. All three goals were a result of heads-up, smart plays where we took advantage of the opportunity. The victory was a team effort and that is what we have to do this season if we want to be successful."
THIS WEEK • IPFW:
The Mastodons enter the season with a 1-1 record overall after a 1-0 loss at Northern Illinois last weekend. IPFW kicked off the season with a victory over North Dakota State at home. The Mastodons return seven starters and 12 letterwinners from a squad that went 9-7-3 last season. IPFW is an independent and plays six different MAC teams this season. It is coached by Terry Stefankiewicz, who is in his fourth season at IPFW and 25th overall. CMU won its only match against IPFW, a 4-0 home victory in 2001. P>
THIS WEEK • Ball State:
The Cardinals enter this weekend as one of the hottest teams in the MAC after a 1-0 victory over Indiana this past Sunday. The Hoosier entered the contest ranked sixth in the Great Lakes region by Soccer Buzz. Goalkeeper Alison Becker notched her second shutout in only four matches this season and was named Co-MAC "Player of the Week" for her play.
The Cardinals have only given up two goals this season in their four matches, a main reason they are one of two teams in the MAC still undefeated. Ball State began its season by participating in the CMU invitational where it defeated Detroit, 1-0, and DePaul, 2-1. Its top scorers are Lindsay Wiltshire and Amy Holst, both with two goals this season.
The Chippewas are 5-1 all-time against BSU and defeated the Cardinals twice last season, the second time in the MAC Tournament at Muncie, Ind, 2-0. BSU kicks off its MAC season on Friday when it hosts Eastern Michigan.
A MATCH OF FIRSTS:
CMU's victory over Illinois State included many firsts for the team. Along with being its first victory of the season, another important first was head coach Tony DiTucci notching his first victory. DiTucci took over last summer, his first head job after working at CMU as an assistant for two seasons. Laura Roberts scored the first goal of her CMU career and Rachel Synder had a multi-goal match for the first time in her three-seasons as a Chippewa.
CLOSING NUMBERS:
CMU is 2-3-1 in MAC openers and 1-1-1 when playing MAC openers on the road.
