Central Michigan University Athletics
Soccer Falls to Northern Illinois, 2-0
10/13/2006 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
Box Score
MOUNT PLEASANT - Two second half goals by Northern Illinois were the difference in a 2-0 loss for the Central Michigan University women's soccer team on a cold, windy afternoon. The Chippewas (10-3-1, 3-3-1 Mid-American Conference) dominated the match statistically, but failed to score for the second consecutive match after not being shut out in any of the season's first 12 contests.
The temperature at the start of the match was below 40 degrees, and the wind was blowing hard from the northwest at upwards of 40 miles per hour, making a significant impact on the field. Much of the play was at the north half of the field, which NIU defended in the first half and CMU defended in the second half.
CMU nearly grabbed a quick lead, but a shot in the fourth minute by Sarah Burns struck the crossbar and stayed out of the NIU goal. The Chippewas had a 10-1 edge in shots and a 4-0 advantage in corner kicks, but could not score, and the match went to the half in a 0-0 tie.
Just over four minutes into the second half, NIU's Megan Kolkay buried a shot from just inside the box into the lower left corner of the CMU net, giving the Huskies a 1-0 lead. The goal ended what was a 355:05 shutout streak for CMU, dating back to the second half of the match at Kent State on Sept. 29. NIU fired four of its five second half shots in the first seven minutes of the second half.
CMU was given a golden opportunity later in the match when NIU's Micaela Damas was given a red card for a forearm to the neck of CMU's Alison Heydorn in the 63rd minute, sending her off and leaving the Huskies a player down for the rest of the match. The Chippewas continued to pressure NIU offensively, firing eight more shots and getting six corner kicks, but were unable to square the match. NIU tacked on an insurance goal in the 88th minute when Lisa Maier netted her second of the year.
"We were unable to solve the puzzle and come up with a goal, even when we had the extra player for the final 28 minutes," CMU head coach Tony DiTucci said. "Northern Illinois played well defensively, and they kept us from doing what we wanted to do on offense. We need to refocus and get ready for our next match on Sunday, and play with a sense of urgency when we take the field Sunday afternoon."
For the match, CMU held an 18-6 edge in shots and a 10-4 advantage in corner kicks. NIU goalkeeper Lindsay Curnock made nine saves and picked up her fourth shutout of the season. CMU's Anne Decker made just one save and took the loss.
CMU is back in action on Sunday afternoon, hosting archrival Western Michigan in a match that kicks off at 1 p.m.
