Central Michigan University Athletics
Final Two MAC East Opponents on Tap for Chippewas
10/6/2011 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
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MOUNT PLEASANT - Central Michigan closes the Mid-American Conference East division portion of its conference schedule this weekend, taking on Miami Friday and Bowling Green Sunday.
The Chippewas (8-1-3, 2-0-2) and Redhawks (6-5, 1-3) will kickoff Friday at 4:30 p.m., at the CMU Soccer Complex for "Maroon out Miami" Day. Fans are encouraged to wear their favorite maroon Chippewa gear in attempts to "maroon out" the opposition.
Sunday's contest marks "Kick-Away Cancer" Day as a part of CMU Athletics' Chips for a Cure program. Fans are encouraged to wear pink to the match and can make donations by clicking the Chips for a Cure link above. Kickoff versus the Falcons (4-9, 1-3 MAC) is set for 1 p.m.
CMU vs. The Opponent
- 11-6-2 all-time versus Miami, including wins in its last three meetings in shutout fashion, outscoring MU, 6-0.
- 8-5-2 all-time versus Bowling Green, including wins in its last five meetings.
Scouting The Redhawks
- Miami is looking to snap a three-game losing streak when it enters Mount Pleasant Friday. It's most recent loss came to MAC favorite Toledo, 3-0.
- The Redhawks' offense is one of the best in the MAC, ranking third with 21 goals scored and 59 points. They have been led by Kayla Zakrzewski, who has a team-high six goals and 14 points. Jess Kodiak is also tied for the team lead with 14 points, scoring five goals and tallying four assists on the season.
- Allison Norenbe has played every minute between the pipes for MU, allowing 1.44 goals per contest and posting a save percentage of .714.
Scouting the Falcons
- The Falcons are also on a three-game losing streak, having dropped contests to Kent State, Toledo and most recently, Ball State, 2-0.
- BGSU's offense has scored just nine goals on the season (10th in the MAC), four of which have been scored by Alyssa Zuccaro.
- Becca Ison has seen the majority of time in net for the Falcons, allowing 22 goals in 1080:31 of play for a goals-against average of 1.83. She has posted two shutouts on the season and has a save percentage of .753.
Blanking the Opposition
Central Michigan has posted four-straight shutouts to open conference play and has not allowed a goal in 427:50 of play. The Chippewas shutout percentage of .667 ranks 12th in the nation among Division I programs.
Two is Better Than One
Goalkeepers Stefanie Turner and Grace Labrecque make up a dominant one-two punch between the pipes. They have combined to post a goals-against average of 0.00 in MAC play and are tied for the lead league among goalkeepers individually.
More on Labrecque
The Redshirt freshman from Battle Creek, Mich., has yet to allow a goal in her first season of action. She has started her career with a shutout streak of 376:26, recording two shutouts and posting a 2-0-1 record.
More on Turner
The junior Turner, who has played 776:52 minutes in net for CMU, ranks 21st in the nation with a goals-against average of .580. Turner has allowed just five goals this season, posted two shutouts and sports a 6-1-2 record.
29 and Counting
CMU enters the weekend riding a 29-match unbeaten streak at the CMU Soccer Complex. The Chippewas are 26-0-3 during the span, with their last loss coming to Toledo, 1-0, on Oct. 19, 2008.
No Place Like Home
This weekend's matches complete a four-game homestand for CMU. The Chippewas are 74-27-8 (.716 win-lost-tied percentage) in their 13-plus seasons at home.
Let's Play Overtime
CMU played its fifth overtime match of the 2011 season last Friday, resulting in a 0-0 draw. The Chippewas are 1-1-3 in overtime contests this season and 18-7-25 (.622 win-lost-tied percentage) all-time. CMU has lost just one match all-time that has gone to two overtimes, a 4-3 decision to Kent State on Oct. 29, 2006.
One of the Nation's Best
Central enters the weekend allowing just 0.390 goals per game, good for ninth in Division I. It's .889 save percentage ranks 14th and it's won-lost-tied percentage of .792 is tied for 20th.
Iron Women
Seniors Claire Horton and Liesel Toth can extend to 80 their streak of consecutive matches started this weekend. Each player has started every game of her career thus far. Toth has played every minute of eight contests this season, while Horton has accomplished the feat seven times.
In The Rankings
Central Michigan's success on the pitch is gaining national recognition. The Chippewas are currently ranked fifth in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America Great Lakes Region and No. 54 in TopDrawerSoccer.com's Power 64. CMU is currently No. 34 in the NCAA Women's Soccer RPI.
NSCAA Great Lakes Region - No. 5
TopDrawerSoccer.com Power 64 - No. 54
NCAA RPI - No. 34
