Central Michigan University
Ohio
Chippewas Win, Nail Down MAC Tourney Spot
10/25/2015 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
Andy Sneddon, CMUChippewas.com
ATHENS, Ohio - Eliza Van de Kerkhove scored in the 75th minute Sunday to lift the Central Michigan soccer team to a 2-1 Mid-American Conference victory over Ohio.
The win snapped a two-game losing streak and it guaranteed the Chippewas a berth in the MAC Tournament, which begins on Sunday, Nov. 1. CMU closes the regular season on Thursday (3 p.m.) at home with a MAC match against Toledo.
"I thought the team really responded with a lot of grit and lot of discipline today," third-year CMU coach Peter McGahey said.
The Chippewas (6-9-2 overall) improved to 5-4-1 in the MAC and now have 16 points. They likely will go on the road for their MAC Tournament opener.
Junior Jordan Young scored her first career goal to give the Chippewas a 1-0 lead in the 41st minute. Hannah Jaggers tied it in the 53rd minute.
Van de Kerkhove's goal came on an assist from Madison Pogarch. CMU's Taylor Potts won a header and Kaylin Hoomaian controlled the ball in the midfield. She slipped it to Pogarch who one-touched it behind the back line and served it to Van de Kerkhove who buried it to the far post.
"It was a good, quality, team goal, and they responded well to what the game gave them," McGahey said.
Freshman Zoie Reed made one save in goal in improving to 6-7. The Chippewas outshot the Bobcats, 12-8, and the corner kicks were even at four aside.
The victory was particularly gratifying, McGahey said, in light of the fact that the Chippewas lost to Kent State, 3-2, at home on Friday, then had to make the 6-plus-hour bus ride to Athens on Saturday.
"I'm really proud of the performance of the team and the response to the weekend overall," he said. "We got tested in the second half. That (Ohio) goal put us on the back foot a little bit. We responded and got a great second half push and found a way to get the second (goal) and get the three points.
"It really does take a team and today we had some performers who may not be in the headlines, but they're the heart and soul of our team.
"Jordan Young, who got her first collegiate goal; Kaylin Hoomaian, a good defensive effort; Meghan Sweeney and Alexis Pelafas, who came in off the bench and brought tremendous energy to the game."
Ohio is 5-12-0, 3-7-0.
