Central Michigan University Athletics
Chippewas Go Back to Work at Toledo
10/5/2016 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
Cullen Maksimowski, CMUChippewas.com
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. -- Central Michigan soccer coach Peter McGahey often preaches the importance of a fully developed team identity in every facet of the game.
Part of that identity includes intangible traits such as the resilience, grit and composure it takes to perform in overtime.
These are the characteristics the Chippewas (10-1-1 overall, 2-1-1 in the Mid-American Conference) showcased last weekend in two overtime matches with Mid-American Conference foes Miami (Ohio) and Ball State.
CMU defeated the RedHawks, 1-0, on Friday and grinded out a 0-0 tie with the Cardinals on Sunday.
"I think parts of our engrained identity showed up," McGahey said. "I think (in overtime) with the fatigue, you can start trying to do too many things, but I thought we did a good job of staying disciplined and composed and executing what we were responsible for.
"I also saw a new evolution in our team and a growth in our competitive spirt. I saw a real willingness in both games to play as the game demanded a higher level of physical intensity."
As they delve deeper into the MAC season, the Chippewas will aim to continue that growth, traveling to Toledo Thursday for a league matchup with the Rockets (6-5-1, 1-2-1). On Sunday, CMU returns home to face Bowling Green (7-5, 2-2). Thursday's game begins at 4 p.m., Sunday's at 1 p.m.
CMU sits in the third spot in the MAC West standings and rank first in the league in points (62) and second in goals (20).
Toledo is in fifth in the West and are is for fifth in the MAC with 15 goals.
"Well the MAC is the MAC," McGahey said. "You know (Toledo) is going to come out and try to defend their home field, they're going to play aggressive and try to take to take the game to us and it's something we are aware of.
"I think the key in our preparation, on a short week coming off two overtime games, will be recovery and tweaking things to be ready to go on Thursday."
CMU sophomore Alexis Pelafas continues to pace the MAC in goals is tied for No. 3 in the nation with 11. Chippewas goalkeeper Kristen Knutson, a senior, claimed her third MAC Defensive Player of the Week Award of the season for her two-shutout performances last week.
Aside from a 4-0 loss to Northern Illinois in the MAC opener, Knutson has not allowed more than one goal in a single game this season and ranks first in the conference with six shutouts.
"Well if you look at how Kristen has gotten to where she is, her whole career has been defined by setbacks," McGahey said. "How she has come back and sort of resolved (since NIU), playing three really good games is indicative to who she is as a player.
"I believe in her and I know the team does as well and I think there are still lots of big moments for her ahead in the season."
Kiersten Johnson leads the Toledo attack with five goals this season.
Bowling Green sits in third place in the MAC East and ranks third in the league in shots (173) and fifth in points (42).
Skylar Fleak leads the Bowling Green offense with six goals and keeper Kathleen Duwve is second in the MAC in saves per game at 5.67.
