Central Michigan University Athletics
Big Test Awaits Women's Soccer At Michigan State
9/3/2016 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
Cullen Maksimowski, CMUChippewas.com
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. — Four games into the 2016-17 season and the loss column remains empty.
This is a statistic the Central Michigan soccer team will aim to keep in tact Sunday as it travels to East Lansing for a non-conference matchup with Michigan State (1 p.m.).
CMU, one of the favorites to win the Mid-American Conference tournament in the preseason coaches' poll, has cruised through it's early non-conference schedule with ease, outscoring opponents, 10-2, with two shutouts en route to a 4-0 start.
The Spartans (2-1-1) will offer another level of competition, a different set of challenges, and a big test for the Chippewas.
"We're fortunate that we have a good relationship with (MSU coach Tom Saxton) and the State program," CMU coach Peter McGahey said. "They're familiar with us, we're familiar with them, so we're just approaching this week trying to be consistent each day and do the things that we do so we can have our best performance on Sunday."
Michigan State is the only Big Ten team on CMU's schedule.
"I think right now we need to make sure we don't get too far ahead of ourselves," said McGahey, who has the program off to its first 4-0-0 start since 2007. "I know it's a cliché, but we're just trying to get better right now, as players and as coaches; that's our biggest challenge."
Central Michigan paces the MAC in nearly every offensive and defensive category including total goals (10), points (31), assists (11) and goals allowed (2).
"I think the consistency in our play has been really good so far," McGahey said. "I think our leadership has been great, our captains have set a standard of what is expected in our play."
Sophomore forward Alexis Pelafas has been an offensive juggernaut to open the season for the Chippewas. Her six goals and 13 points lead the MAC and ranks second and third, respectively, nationally.
CMU goalkeeper Kristen Knutson, a senior, leads the league in shutouts (2), is second in save percentage (.900). She is the reigning MAC Defensive Player of the Week.
Next weekend, the Chippewas head to New England for matches with Dartmouth (Friday) and UMass (Sunday).
