Central Michigan University Athletics
Chippewas Home for Two With MAC Foes
10/16/2014 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
Parker Scott, CMUchippewas.com
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. - The Central Michigan women's soccer team faces a pair of games that are critical to its chances to remain in the hunt for a Mid-American Conference Tournament spot this weekend at the CMU Soccer Complex.
The Chippewas , 3-10-1 overall, 1-5-0 MAC, will play Buffalo on Friday at 4 p.m., then will entertain Akron on Sunday at 1 p.m. Buffalo is 8-2-3 and leads the MAC East at 4-0-2. Akron is 6-7-1, 2-4-0.
"Races are never over until they're over, so I'm also optimistic with more opportunities, more chances, more games to play," coach Peter McGahey said. "We are going to do the things we do and take care of those things and hope the performance of the team and individuals match the opportunity this weekend."
The Chippewas split their two MAC road games last weekend, winning 1-0 in double overtime against Bowling Green then falling on Sunday to MAC West-leading Eastern Michigan, 2-0. The Eagles scored both goals in the first half.
"We got our first win in the MAC (against Bowling Green) so I think we feel pretty good about that, and we are really starting to hit our groove," said senior Jennifer Gassman, who scored the goal in CMU's win at Bowling Green. "We really just want to keep the energy. Energy brings confidence, and organization. It brings everything. So energy and intensity is what we are going for."
The top eight teams in the final regular-season standings earn a spot in the league tournament. The Chippewas are currently last in the MAC West.
"When we're possessing the ball and creating chances, we are a very difficult team to play against." Said McGahey. "(Against Bowling Green) I thought our ball possession was good we created plenty of chances.
"I thought our ball possession was good in the second half against Eastern, but the hard part is you're already down 2-0."
Sophomore goalkeeper Heather Laeufer made her first MAC appearance last weekend against Bowling Green, posting her first shutout.
"I thought Heather had a very good weekend," McGahey said. "I thought she did a very good job of stepping in, I thought the team rallied around her in a good way and again she's going to get another opportunity this weekend."
"We feel very confident," Laeufer said. "We are excited to get another home weekend and we are very happy with where we're at right now and we'll just keep building on that.
"My teammates make it very easy for me. They make my job a lot easier, and they are always here for me. We just need to make sure that we execute when we need to execute. Just take care of our business and take it one half at a time."
