Central Michigan University Athletics
Central Michigan University
Northern Illinois
Pogarch's Late Goal Lifts CMU To Dramatic Win
10/19/2017 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
Lindsay Gerber, CMUChippewas.com
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. - Madison Pogarch fired in the goal from long distance to lift the Central Michigan soccer team a 1-0 Mid-American Conference win over Northern Illinois on Thursday at the CMU Soccer Complex.
The Chippewas snapped a three-game losing streak and improved their chances of landing a berth in the MAC Tournament.
Central Michigan improved to 7-7-3, 2-5-2 MAC while Northern Illinois fell to 8-7-1, 5-4.
CMU will play its final two regular-season games at home, the first against Western Michigan on Sunday (1 p.m.) and the finale against Eastern Michigan on Oct. 26.
Both are must-wins if CMU hopes to make the tournament.
"It makes the game on Sunday relevant," CMU coach Peter McGahey said of Thursday's win. "It's recognizing that it's a must-win. Sometimes teams can come out and get really tight in must-wins, but I thought the team played with a really good energy and spirit tonight."
After Central Michigan collected three corner kicks in the first 10 minutes, the two teams played evenly for the remainder of the first half. CMU came out of halftime hungry, finally finding the back of the net in the 85th minute.
"It was a really heartfelt fight with a really good performance," McGahey said. "We really turned up the intensity in the second half and I thought that made all the difference in the world."
The goal was Pogarch's first of the season.
"It's honestly hard to put into words," Pogarch said. "It felt amazing to be surrounded by my team who supports me so much. It was all about keeping us alive."
Goalkeeper Zoie Reed had three saves for CMU while Amy Annala had five for NIU.
CMU finished with a 10-7 edge in shots and 7-4 advantage in corner kicks.
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