Central Michigan University Athletics
Central Michigan University
Northern Illinois
Chippewas Drop First Game
9/23/2016 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
Cullen Maksimowski, CMUChippewas.com
DEKALB, Ill. — The Central Michigan soccer team saw its historic start come to an end Friday night, falling, 4-0, to Northern Illinois in its Mid-American Conference opener.
The Chippewas, who defeated Oakland, 1-0, on Sunday to improve to 8-0-0 - the best start in program history -- are, 8-1-0. NIU improves to 2-4-2, 1-0.
"A lot of credit goes out to NIU tonight," CMU coach Peter McGahey said. "They did a real nice job of capitalizing on a lot of the opportunities they had in the first half."
CMU entered the game have allowed just four goals all season. The Huskies had scored just twice this season, and had been shutout in its last four starts. The Huskies built a 3-0 halftime lead.
"I think it just goes back to NIU being able to capitalize on their opportunities on offense," McGahey said. "They were able to find some cracks in our defense and made the most of it.
"I was proud of how we responded in the second (half) and we played a lot better. But the reality is the game had already gotten away from us at the point."
The Chippewas finished with 11 shots (three on goal). NIU had eight shots, all of them on goal. CMU held a 6-2 advantage in corner kicks.
Senior Taylor Potts led CMU with seven shots (two on goal) and Eliza Van de Kerkhove had three.
CMU senior goalkeeper Kristen Knutson allowed all four goals on seven attempts. Sophomore Zoie Reed entered the game in the 69th minute and made one save.
The Chippewas will look to rebound on Sunday as they travel to Kalamazoo to take on the defending MAC Tournament champion Broncos (7-2, 1-0) at 1 p.m. Western opened league play on Friday with a 5-0 home win over Eastern Michigan.
"We just have to realize (tonight) was just one game," McGahey said. "We have to look at it like we are now 0-1 on the season and recommit ourselves to our identity as a team and just play."
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