Central Michigan University Athletics
Huge Test Friday for CMU Soccer
10/13/2016 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
Cullen Maksimowski, CMUChippewas.com
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. — As with most coaches, CMU soccer coach Peter McGahey doesn't subscribe the "Big Game" mentality. That's for the fans to get excited about.
CMU soccer fans will get that chance Friday (6 p.m.) as the Chippewas (12-1-1 overall, 4-1-1 in the Mid-American Conference) play host to Kent State (10-1, 6-0) in a Mid-American Conference showdown under the lights at the CMU Soccer-Lacrosse Stadium.
"There is a lot of things we can and can't control about this game," McGahey said. "We can't control what people write, what they say about this game. We spoke with the players about their sphere of influence and people telling them it's a big game.
"The reason it's a big game is because of what we've accomplished up until now. It's a big game because it's the next one on our schedule and that's how we're handling it."
On paper, it's the biggest matchup of the season for CMU. The Chippewas are second in the MAC West standings, Kent State enters holding the top spot in the East division and is on a 10-game win streak.
Sophomore forward Alexis Pelafas enters this weekend as the leading scorer in the MAC and No. 2 nationally with 13 goals this season. She is just one goal away from tying the school record of 14 goals in a season set by Allison Campbell in 2001. Pelafas won't get an opportunity to tie the record until Sunday's game against Ohio due to a yellow card suspension.
"Records are meant to be broken," McGahey said. "Allison has set that record and it has stood a long time. As Lexi and our team move and start to break these records, it establishes a new standard of excellence for this program."
Central Michigan leads the conference in goals (25), points (76), assists (26) and is second in goals against average (0.69). Kent State is second in goals (24), points (66), and assists (18), and is third in goals against average (0.75).
Kent State "is similar to us in that they've been able to establish their own identity this season," McGahey said. "They've been able to play their own way and I think that is the beauty of the MAC this season. There is a lot of teams that are playing their own way, so Kent State will bring a unique set of challenges as well."
Although McGahey, who is in his fourth year in charge of the CMU program, may not want put extra emphasis on Friday's game with the Golden Flashes, he said he enjoys the excitement and buzz around campus surrounding the program.
"I think the positivity and energy that I see every day from this team is starting to radiate out," he said. "I think that's what you're starting to see, is people are starting to say 'I want to be a part of that, I want to go to a game and share this experience.' I'm proud that as a team we've been able to create an atmosphere that people want to be a part of."
The Chippewas will look to fill the offensive void left by Pelafas by committee, using a combination of the likes of Madison Costner, Jamie Rademacher and Madison Pogarch, McGahey said.
Costner is CMU's second-leading scorer with four goals this season and has scored three in her last two games. Rademacher leads the team and ranks fourth in the MAC in assists with four.
Senior goalkeeper Kristen Knutson leads the MAC in shutouts (7) and is second in goals against average (0.64).
The Chippewas will close out their home weekend on Sunday with a 1 p.m. matchup with Ohio (3-9-1, 1-5).
The Bobcats ranks second in the MAC in saves (72) and fifth in goals (19). Allie Curry and Bryce Hueber have scored three goals apiece this season. The Bobcats play at Eastern Michigan on Friday.
