Central Michigan University
Robert Morris
Chippewas Surge Past Robert Morris
8/21/2016 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
Andy Sneddon, CMUChippewas.com
PITTSBURGH - Alexis Pelafas put her knack for goal scoring on display once again Sunday as the Central Michigan soccer team downed Robert Morris, 3-1, at the Colonials' North Athletic Complex.
Pelafas scored in the 65th minute to break a 1-1 tie, then added an insurance goal 23 minutes later as the Chippewas improved to 2-0-0, starting the season with two wins for the first time since 2012. CMU opened with a 2-0 win at Duquesne on Friday.
"The quality performance from the whole team - it always takes a whole team," CMU coach Peter McGahey said. "We played 18 players and the quality we got from the depth was really good. The conditioning is good.
"You're always looking at an opening weekend to create positive momentum, you're looking for pieces of the process, (evidence) that it's working. The thing I'll take away is the team is really believing in the process, trusting in the process, and believing in each other. The results become secondary to that."
CMU plays host to Youngstown State on Friday, Aug. 26 (6 p.m.) in its home opener. The Chippewas entertain Kansas State on Sunday, Aug. 28 (1 p.m.).
Pelafas has four goals on the season, matching her total from the 2015 season. She also scored both of CMU's goals in an exhibition victory over Detroit a week ago.
The Chippewas held a 25-9 edge in shots including a 12-3 advantage in shots on goal. The Chippewas finished with 11 corners to the Colonials' three.
Jamie Rademacher scored just 31 seconds into the second half to put the Chippewas up, 1-0. It was the first career goal for Rademacher, a junior.
Samantha Maher, Marle Bringard and Savannah Beetcher each had an assist for CMU.
Robert Morris (0-2-0) tied it on a Theresa Laux goal, which came less than three minutes after Rademacher had put the Chippewas in front.
"Sunday games are hard on the road and I'm really pleased with how the team responded to both the fatigue of the first weekend as well as a well-taken goal by Robert Morris to tie the game," McGahey said. "I think the resiliency after we conceded a goal was to get back to playing Chippewa soccer.
"It was, `These are the things we do and these are things we do well' and the team was rewarded for that."
CMU senior goalkeeper Kristen Knutson, just two days after making her CMU debut with a shutout at Duquesne, faced nine shots and made two saves in picking up Sunday's victory.
"It's a collective mentality," McGahey said of CMU's defense. "It's another part of our identity that's really important. To give up one goal off a set piece, hats off to Kristen and hats off to Kaylin Hoomaian in terms of leading her line. I think it's a really good start defensively."
