Central Michigan University Athletics
Chippewas Have Chances, But Fall 1-0 at Valparaiso
9/19/2008 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
VALPARAISO, Ind. Two stout defenses squared off on the turf of Eastgate Field. The Central Michigan soccer team dropped a 1-0 decision to Valparaiso on Friday.
The Chippewas (5-2) and Crusaders were locked in a scoreless tie until Becky Clever scored in the 75th minute. Central created plenty of opportunities themselves, out shooting Valparaiso 11-10 for the match and 8-3 in the second half.
“Overall we played very well and created several dangerous scoring opportunities,” heach coach Tony DiTucci said. “We possessed the ball a great deal of the match, especially in the second half after we were able to talk together and make some adjustments.
Shay Mannino turned aside three shots and allowed only the one goal, the first she had allowed in 341 minutes.
The Chippewas have lost only two matches, each by one goal. DiTucci hopes the experience in close games will help the team as they reach Mid-American Conference play.
“Throughout the non-conference portion of our schedule, we've continued to show a great deal of growth and improvement,” DiTucci said. “Each match has been extremely helpful in our development as we prepare for conference play. There have been a lot of positives, and we have learned a great deal about what we are capable of as a team when we play with both purpose and intensity. Our goal now is to use all of these experiences”
The Chippewas return home next Friday when they take on MAC foe Ball State in the conference opener. That match starts at 4 p.m. at the CMU Soccer Complex.
