Central Michigan University Athletics
Chippewas Face IPFW in Home Soccer Match
9/18/2014 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
Parker Scott, CMUChippewas.com
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. - Back home, and about time to get down to business for the Central Michigan soccer team.
The Chippewas will play host to Indiana-Purdue-Fort Wayne in their final non-leaguer of the season on Friday. They open Mid-American Conference play next weekend, when Northern Illinois and Western Michigan come to Mount Pleasant.
"We're just trying to put a good performance on for Friday and build a little bit of momentum going into the MAC schedule," CMU coach Peter McGahey said. "I feel like as a team we are better than our record shows. We have some things that we definitely want to sharpen up and improve and make sure that we're continuing to build on the things that will be critical for us once we get into the MAC."
IPFW (1-6) has lost four consecutive games, while the Chippewas dropped both matches on their trip last weekend to the state of Colorado, falling to Air Force and Colorado College. The one common opponent is Detroit. The Chippewas played the Titans to a scoreless draw, while IPFW lost, 2-0.
The Chippewas (1-5-1) and have played six of their seven matches on the road. Their victory came at home over Oakland. Friday's match begins a three-game CMU homestand.
With four goals this season, senior forward Laura Gosse has 17 as a Chippewa, which ties her with Alison Heydorn (2003-06) for eighth in program history.
"Accolades like that always makes you feel good, it kind of makes me reflect on the work I've put in for the last four years and all the help I've had along the way, not just the players, but the coaches, family, friends, everyone," said Gosse, who scored two goals last weekend on the trip to Colorado.
Gosse drew one start, but played significant minutes, throughout her freshman season when she scored three goals. She started 12 of CMU's final 15 games in 2012 as a sophomore, and started every game last season. She scored five goals in each of the past two seasons.
"Experience helps a lot," she said. "Throughout the years I've found my sweet spot so to speak. With that being said, both my goals over the weekend came from amazing assists so I think the people around me also make me look good."
Gosse, one of three seniors on the roster and a captain, embraces the leadership role.
"It's important for us to reassure everyone that we are better then what our record says," she said, adding that the message to her younger teammates about kicking off the MAC season is "almost a fresh start and we have to bring what we learned through our non-conference into our conference."
