Central Michigan University Athletics
Women's Soccer Upends Miami, 1-0
10/2/2015 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
Andy Sneddon, CMUChippewas.com
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. - Taylor Potts scored on a penalty kick in the 42nd minute Friday as Central Michigan defeated Miami (Ohio), 1-0, in a Mid-American Conference women's soccer match at the CMU soccer-lacrosse stadium.
It was the first night home game in CMU women's soccer history, the Chippewas' first win in their brand-new stadium, and it was their second consecutive shutout victory.
CMU is 3-6-1 overall, 2-1 MAC. The loss snapped Miami's four-game win streak. The Redhawks are 6-4, 2-1.
"I think it was a great night," CMU coach Peter McGahey said. "A great experience -- the first night home game in CMU women's soccer history. I think our team really displayed good character throughout the game."
Potts beat Miami keeper Vic Maniaci with a blistering penalty kick on the ground to the left corner. It was the second goal in as many games for Potts, a junior.
"Actually I was going right, 100 percent right," Potts said. "As I was running up I could see that she read I was going right and you're never supposed to change when you take (a PK), and I did because out of the corner of my eyes I saw it.
"I felt a little pressure, but I was confident. We had the wind and the momentum."
The Chippewas held on despite a late second-half surge by the RedHawks. Miami outshot the Chippewas, 12-6, including 7-2 in the final 45 minutes when it had the wind. Miami also held a 5-1 edge in corner kicks.
CMU freshman goalkeeper Zoie Reed made six saves in posting her second consecutive shutout and her third of the season.
"What you saw tonight was Zoie's range is quite good and on a night where it was incredibly windy, her distribution allowed us to get out and break pressure, particularly in the second half when we were playing into the wind," McGahey said.
The Chippewas, who play Ball State at home Sunday (1 p.m.), have scored three goals in their last two games. They had been shut out in their three previous matches before defeating Northern Illinois, 2-0, last Sunday.
"I think that we've been focusing on not talking about what needs work, we're doing it through our actions and we're pushing through each game with each other," Potts said.
Despite being outshot, the Chippewas controlled the match for long stretches and Reed came up big several times, particularly in the final 15 minutes to hold the RedHawks at bay.
"Sometimes confidence is a funny thing," McGahey said. "You find your rhythm and your flow. I thought we even left pretty good chances on the field tonight in both halves. I thought we created enough chances in both halves that we could have had a second (goal).
"I think it's flow, comfort with each other, and really getting the game on the front foot and playing with good attacking tenacity. We played with good determination, good tenacity, good resolve at the end to grind it out, and good composure when we had to create chances.
"I think it's definitely a performance to build on. And the thing that I think is most powerful is the things that we can build on are things that we are in control of."
Ball State defeated Toledo, 3-1, on Friday to improve to 3-0 in the MAC. The Cardinals, who are 7-2-2 overall, are riding a four-game win streak and are unbeaten in their last five starts. They are the last remaining unbeaten team in the conference.
