Central Michigan University
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Dartmouth
Milestone Win; CMU Soccer Remains Unbeaten
9/10/2016 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
Andy Sneddon, CMUChippewas.com
HANOVER, N.H. - A big night on many fronts for the Central Michigan women's soccer team.
Eliza Van de Kerhove scored her first goal of the season Friday as the Chippewas wrestled away a 1-0 non-conference win over Dartmouth at Burnham Field to improve to 6-0-0 on the season, extending their best start since 2007.
The win was Peter McGahey's 100th as a college head coach, and it came with CMU's leading scorer Alexis Pelafas sidelined.
"Grateful," said McGahey, who is in his fourth year at CMU after five years at Minnesota State. "I have been fortunate to have worked with so many quality and dedicated student-athletes and I have been able to have staffs that are committed to the best interest of those student-athletes and their growth on the field, in the classroom, and as people. It's a little humbling to tell you the truth."
McGahey led Minnesota State to a 74-21-13 record from 2008-12 then took over at CMU before the 2013 season. His record at CMU is 26-32-6 and his career ledger is 100-53-19.
Pelafas, who entered the weekend tied for second nationally with seven goals this season, sat out Friday's game.
"We're at the point in the season that all teams experience some adversity, some bumps and bruises and illness and that sort of thing, and we look forward to having her back on Sunday (at UMass)," McGahey said.
The Chippewas were outshot, 11-9, and Dartmouth took eight corner kicks to CMU's one.
"In the first half I thought Dartmouth was good," McGahey said. "I thought we did a really good job in the first half of weathering the storm, grinding it out, and being really gritty.
"In the course of any season you're going to have nights where you have to try to grind a little bit. I thought that's what we did tonight. In the second half the character of this team, and the depth, showed a lot.
"Dartmouth forced us tonight to keep the foot on the gas and keep doing the things that we do."
Van de Kerhove's goal came in the 59th minute. McKay Matheson gained possession of the ball and made a wide pass to Savannah Beetcher who crossed it to Van de Kerhove who headed it past Dartmouth goalkeeper Casey Cousino.
CMU keeper Kristen Knutson made seven saves in posting her third shutout of the season.
The Chippewas play at UMass (2-2) on Sunday at noon.
