Central Michigan University Athletics
Soccer Extends Shutout Streak with 1-0 win over Miami
10/8/2011 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
Box Score | Photo Gallery | Stafford Postgame | Wilcoxon Postgame | Highlights
MOUNT PLEASANT - The women's soccer team turned in another defensive gem in a 1-0 win over Miami at the CMU Soccer Complex Friday afternoon, the latest in a streak of five consecutive shutouts.
With the shutout, Central Michigan (8-1-3, 2-0-2 MAC) has not allowed a goal in its last 517:50 of play, a streak stretching back to the Chippewas' Sept. 14 win in Madison, Wisc., over Wisconsin, 2-1.
The Maroon and Gold have also yet to yield a goal to MAC opponents this season. The Chippewas are 4-0-2 during the 527:50 shutout streak.
"Defensively, as a whole we are doing ok," head coach Neil Stafford said. "There are some things we need to fine tune, but its not just about our backs. Its about the pressure our forwards and midfielders put on teams also. We are real happy how we are defending as a team and we have people coming off the bench that are making a huge impact defensively."
The defense was staunch and stingy all afternoon in front of the season-high 593 fans in attendance, holding Miami (6-6, 1-4 MAC) to just four shots, two in each half, and one shot on goal in the first half.
Junior goalkeeper Stefanie Turner was forced to make only one save, for which she ran down and cleared with a sliding kick a ball just outside the box on a Katy Dolesh breakaway in the middle of the field in the 35th minute.
Miami's defense, however, was on its heels throughout the game as the Chippewas' offense took 23 total shots, eight on goal, including a 16-shot barrage in the second half.
The game remained scoreless through the first half, but Central Michigan found the back of the net quickly in the second half. Freshman forward Morgan Wilcoxon scored the game's only goal in the 54th minute, assisted by junior midfielder Ashley Mejilla.
A free kick taken by the Chippewas near midfield was received just outside the left side of the box by Mejilla, who crossed to the right side of the box. Wilcoxon controlled the pass and chipped a shot over the Miami defense just in front of the right post and into the net for her second career goal.
Senior forward Chelsi Abbot recorded two shots on goal in four shots, Wilcoxon made three shots on goal, and Mejilla had three shots, one of which was on goal.
The Chippewas are next in action Sunday afternoon against Bowling Green at 1 p.m. at the CMU Soccer Complex in the final contest of a four-match homestand.
