Central Michigan University Athletics
Central Michigan University
DePaul
Chippewas Drop Season Opener, 2-1
8/22/2014 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
CHICAGO, Ill. - Abby Reed scored with under eight minutes remaining Friday as DePaul handed Central Michigan a 2-1 loss in the women's soccer season opener for both schools.
The Blue Demons outshot the Chippewas, 20-3. CMU returns to action on Sunday with a non-conference game at Illinois State.
Friday's game was played with temperatures in the 90s and 90-plus percent humidity.
"I really thought we competed well," second-year CMU coach Peter McGahey said. "It's a good start. A BIG EAST team on their home field that went to the NCAA tournament last year, and we put in a good, quality performance."
Sophomore mid Eliza Van de Kerkhove scored 15-plus minutes into the second half to give the Chippewas a brief 1-0 lead.
"In that heat, away from home, and you go up 1-0 against a team like that, you can really take a lot of positives from that," McGahey said. "The players will learn and grow; I feel good about where we are."
Less than a minute later, Rachel Pitman scored on a ball deflected in the box to tie it 1-1.
Van de Kerhove's goal, which came on a shot from 15 yards on a partial breakaway, was assisted by freshman Jamie Rademacher.
Sophomore Maddy Bunnell made five saves in goal for the Chippewas. DePaul's Alejandria Godinez made one save in goal for the victory.
The Blue Demons earned seven corner kicks to two for the Chippewas. It was just the second meeting between CMU and DePaul, and the first since 2004. The Blue Demons won that meeting.
