Central Michigan University Athletics
Chippewas Fall 2-1 to League Unbeaten Ball State
10/4/2015 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
Cullen Maksimowski, CMUChippewas.com
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. — In only the third game of the season at the brand new CMU Soccer-Lacrosse Stadium, the Central Michigan women's soccer team hosted the Mid- American Conference leading Ball State Cardinals Sunday afternoon.
The Chippewas fell, 2-1, dropping their record to 3-7-1 with a 2-2 mark in the conference. Ball State is 8-2-2, 4-0, and the last remaining unbeaten in the league.
"I thought the performance was good against a very good Ball State team," said CMU coach Peter McGahey, whose team defeated Miami (Ohio), 1-0, on Friday. "I wish we would have come out a little better in the second half, I thought we started a little two slowly."
Neither team was able to push a goal across in the first half of play and saw only five total shots.
Ball State scored early in the second half on a goal by Chelsy Swackhamer. CMU quickly responded with goal of its own scored on a header by Alexis Pelafas, her third of the season.
"I thought we responded well to their goal in the second half, to come back and score to tie it up," MaGahey said.
Ball State reclaimed the lead on free kick score by Leah Mattingly.
The Chippewas defense held up well against a very aggressive Cardinal offense. Ball State outshot CMU, 9-4, and finished with a 3-2 edge in corner kicks. All three of Ball State's corner kicks came in the second half.
"I thought overall the defending was good," McGahey said. " Ball State's attacking pattern is unique, and I thought we responded well to that.
"I thought the tenacity was good, and I think we were able to limit the number of quality chances we gave away."
Maddy Bunnell got the start at goalkeeper for the Chippewas and made four saves.
"I got a lot of action, but some of it you can look at as planned action and a smarter way of defending," said Bunnell, who was making her first start in two weeks, a four-game span.
The Chippewas will continue MAC competition next weekend as they welcome Eastern Michigan on Friday (6 p.m.) and Bowling Green on Sunday at 1 p.m.
"Sometimes when you're climbing to the top of a mountain, the hardest part is the last little steps," McGahey said. "We have to find that moment to carry us over the top.
"I think we're a good soccer team, and we have a lot of soccer left in the season. We just need that final push to get us over that plateau."
