Central Michigan University Athletics
Chippewas Gear Up For Semifinal Shot
11/3/2016 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
Cullen Maksimowski, CMUChippewas.com
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. — Enjoy the journey, embrace the atmosphere, but remain focused.
That has been the overall message conveyed by Central Michigan soccer coach Peter McGahey this week as his team prepares for its Mid-American Conference Tournament semifinal matchup with Kent State on Friday night.
"I think the energy around the team has been really good," McGahey said. "It's at a place where they're excited, they're not overly excited which I think is also good. I've liked what I've seen in terms of the connection and recognizing the challenges still ahead as this week unfolds."
The No. 3-seeded Chippewas (15-2-3) will play the No. 2 Golden Flashes at 7 p.m. at Kent State's Dix Stadium. The first semifinal is scheduled for 4 p.m. between No. 4 Western Michigan (13-6-1) and No. 8 Northern Illinois (4-10-5).
Central Michigan played Kent State to a 1-1 draw at home on Oct. 14. McGahey anticipates Friday's game will have a much different feel and style of play.
"I think you have to go in asking, are we preparing to do what we do, relative to the game that's going to be played?" he said. "I don't think Friday night will look or feel (like the first game). Different stadium, different emotions, different things at stake."
One of the main factors in navigating through the semifinal matchup will be neutralizing a Golden Flashes attack that ranks No. 2 in the MAC in goals with 34 (the Chippewas are fourth with 33). Kent State outshot CMU, 23-5, in the first meeting.
"I think their attack is very good, they have very dynamic players but I think we are really good defensively and have shown the capability to adapt and grow throughout this season," McGahey said. "It's going to be less about how we prevent (their shots) and more about how we push our identity into this game."
The Chippewas will focus much of their defensive efforts on stopping KSU's biggest offensive weapon, Jenna Hellstrom, who was named on Thursday the MAC Offensive Player of the Year. Hellstrom led the league with 36 points, one better than CMU sophomore Alexis Pelafas. Pelafas enters Friday's game with a MAC-best 16 goals. Hellstrom ranks second in the MAC with 13.
"The reality is, when you focus on Kent, you focus on Jenna," McGahey said. "It's important to recognize who has played against her now in four straight years. Our back line has seen and is prepared for the dynamic she brings to their offense.
"Kent's Identity plays to Jenna's strengths just as our identity plays to our players' strengths. That is the thing that has sort of fascinated me as we've put this game plan together. Both team have a pretty good idea about who we are and what we're going to try to do."
CMU will also have a critical offensive weapon - Pelafas -- on Friday that it did not have when the teams met three weeks ago. Pelafas did not play in the first game against Kent State due to an NCAA-mandated yellow card suspension.
"Lexi is excited to help this group of seniors advance to their first semifinal and to be able to play in the semifinal," McGahey said. "I'm sure there is a little bit of extra fuel because she didn't get to play against (Kent State) in the regular season."
Pelafas, along with senior midfielder Eliza Van de Kerkhove, were named to the All-Mac First Team on Thursday, while ophomore Madison Pogarch earned a spot on the second team and Marle Bringard made the all-treshman team.
A victory over Kent State would propel Central Michigan to the MAC championship game on Sunday (1 p.m.) against either NIU or Western. The Chippewas lost to the Huskies, 4-0, and edged the Broncos, 2-1, during the regular season.
