Central Michigan University
NIU
Chippewas Snap Skid With 2-0 MAC Win
9/27/2015 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
Andy Sneddon, CMUChippewas.com
DeKALB, Ill. - Kaelyn Korte and Taylor Potts scored the goals Sunday as the Central Michigan women's soccer team snapped a four-game losing streak with a 2-0 victory over Northern Illinois.
It was CMU's first Mid-American Conference win, and it came on the heels of a 1-0 loss at Western Michigan on Friday. CMU is 2-6-1 overall, 1-1 MAC. NIU is 2-7-0, 1-1.
"Really proud of our performance today to bounce back," CMU coach Peter McGahey said. "The players were really quite good, and I thought the staff was really well prepared with scouting NIU, and we absolutely needed that.
"It's never easy to win in the MAC and it's never easy to find road wins in the MAC. Preparation is important and the players did a really good job today of sticking to the game plan and executing the things that we needed to do to be successful. Good all-around team performance by the players and the staff."
Korte scored in the 22nd minute to break the ice and end a 332-plus minute scoreless drought that stretched all the way back to CMU's Sept. 10 3-1 loss at Michigan. The Chippewas had been shut out in their last three games.
Potts scored 10 minutes later. It was the first career goal for Potts. Samantha Maher drew an assist on Korte's goal, her second of the season.
Korte's goal "was a well-taken and a well-earned goal in the run of play and Taylor Potts' goal was equally as good because it was well-earned and in the run of play as well," McGahey said. "Two goals from midfield players in the run of play, which I think is a real positive sign."
Korte's goal helped give the Chippewas a confidence boost, McGahey said, while Potts' tally was perhaps even more crucial.
"In the MAC the second goal is critical," McGahey said. "In the second half, NIU, at times, controlled the tempo. NIU's a good team, playing at home, and a team like that is going to fight and they're going to push.
"NIU generated chances, but with the second goal and with our composure in the second half we were able to get that result."
Freshman Zoie Reed made six saves in goal for the Chippewas, who were outshot 12-9. NIU had three corner kicks, while the Chippewas had none.
"Zoie is playing in her first weekend of MAC soccer, and she played against two teams, on the road, two teams that were in the (league tournament) last year and she allowed one goal in 180 minutes of soccer," McGahey said. "That's not a bad goals against average to start the MAC."
The Chippewas are home for their next four matches, all MAC contests, beginning with Miami (Ohio) at 6 p.m. Friday. CMU plays host to Ball State on Sunday, Oct. 4, at 1 p.m. Miami is 6-3, 2-0; Ball State is 6-2-2, 2-0.
"The team is in the process of discovery," McGahey said. "I think we learned a little bit about ourselves this weekend and we're excited to come home for the first home night game in CMU women's soccer history, in our brand-new stadium, in front of our home fans.
"The mood of the team is quite good and we're certainly looking forward to building on this result."
