Central Michigan University
Northern Illinois
Soccer Toppled By Northern Illinois, 2-0
10/14/2005 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
Oct. 14, 2005
DEKALB, Ill. - The Central Michigan University women's soccer team saw its six-match unbeaten streak snapped by Northern Illinois this afternoon, as the Huskies blanked the Chippewas, 2-0, handing them their first defeat of the MAC season. CMU slips back to the .500 mark at 6-6-2 overall, and drops to 5-1-1 in conference play with four league matches remaining. CMU's loss, coupled with a Western Michigan win, dropped it out of first place, as the Chippewas now trail the Broncos by two points in the standings. Anne Decker made five saves but suffered the loss for CMU. Northern's Carrie Dvorak made five saves to record the shutout for the Huskies.
"We didn't work hard enough to win today," head coach Tony DiTucci said. "We didn't deserve to win this match."
CMU was outshot by NIU 13-10, including 8-4 in the second half. The Huskies scored in the 22nd minute of the first half to grab a 1-0 lead on a goal by Megan Kolkay. NIU capitalized on CMU's inability to mount an offensive attack by creating a turnover and converting on it. The Huskies added their second goal with 15 minutes remaining in the match to provide the final margin.
"We had a few chances to make plays early and get up in the match, but we didn't convert," DiTucci said. "We have to do a better job at taking advantage of our opportunities."
Despite the loss, the Chippewas still have an opportunity to salvage the weekend with a win over Western Michigan when the two teams tangle in Kalamazoo on Sunday. CMU can reclaim the top spot in the MAC and take the edge over the Broncos with the head-to-head advantage if it claims a victory in the match at Western.
"We have to forget about this match and focus on the opportunity in front of us on Sunday afternoon," DiTucci said. "That's all we can control right now, and hopefully we'll respond to the challenge of that match."
Sunday's match at Western Michigan will start at noon.
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