Central Michigan University Athletics
Tournament Berth at Stake for Chippewas, Toledo
10/29/2014 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
Parker Scott, CMUchippewas.com
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. - Officially, the Mid-American Conference women's soccer tournament doesn't begin until Sunday.
For Central Michigan, the tourney begins Thursday.
The Chippewas play at Toledo (3 p.m.) Thursday in what amounts to a winner-play-on, loser-go-home matchup.
Both teams are 4-6-0 in the conference, tied for eighth place overall. The top eight teams advance to the league tournament, which is scheduled to begin on Sunday.
"Any time you have an opportunity to play in an elimination game/playoff game, the urgency at which seniors approach those games always helps keep the younger players focused," CMU coach Peter McGahey said. "Meaning that the seniors are always down to their last one, so I think it just helps enhance it and provides additional lessons for the younger players, but at this point our hope is that the younger players certainly understand and appreciate what's at hand."
The Chippewas (6-11-1 overall) are riding a three-game win streak during which they have outscored their opponents, 7-0. Sophomore goalkeeper Heather Laeufer has posted three consecutive shutouts, and is the reigning MAC Defensive Player of the Week.
The Chippewas have spread the scoring during their streak with five players tallying goals in the three-game span. Junior Kaelyn Korte and senior Laura Gosse have scored two goals apiece in that stretch.
The Rockets (7-10-1) are coming off a 3-1 win over Ohio after back-to-back 3-0 losses to Buffalo and then Kent State. Buffalo has on the MAC East and will be the No. 1 seed in the conference tournament, while the Golden Flashes are also firmly in the hunt for a tourney bid.
"I feel good about the team, the mood of the team is good, the form is good and we look forward to getting the game going tomorrow," McGahey said. "The team's energy is high and their form looks good, it's been a positive week."
