Central Michigan University Athletics
Central Michigan University
Tulsa
Chippewas Post 1-1 Tie In Season Opener
8/18/2017 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
Andy Sneddon, CMUChippewas.com
LAWRENCE, Kan. - All in all, not a bad start.
Central Michigan battled Tulsa and the heat on Friday, coming away with a 1-1 women's soccer overtime draw in the Rock Chalk Invitational at the University of Kansas' Rock Chalk Park. It was CMU's season opener.
"Very proud of the performance the team put out tonight," CMU coach Peter McGahey said. "Really good response throughout. They earned it tonight against a good Tulsa side. Nothing to hang their heads about.
"On the road, the heat and all that kind of stuff. No excuses. Grounded it out and earned one point."
With game-time temperatures in the 90s, the Chippewas struck first when junior Madison Costner scored off an assist from Sarah Mitchell, a freshman playing her first collegiate game, with just over 17 minutes to play in the first half.
Tulsa's Reagan Whitlow got the equalizer with 26:11 remaining in regulation.
The Chippewas outshot the Golden Hurricane, 23-15, and held an 11-2 edge in corner kicks.
"Really proud with how they responded with really good resilience after we conceded a goal," McGahey said. "On a hot night it's easy to make the game harder on yourself than you have to. A lot of grit and resolve to manage that moment and get the game back.
"I was really proud of lots of phases in the game in terms of how we started, in terms of how we pressed our identity into the game, and I was really pleased for Madison -- great pass from Sarah and a superb finish."
Junior Zoie Reed went all the way in goal for the Chippewas, recording eight saves.
The Chippewas controlled both overtime periods, and held an 8-1 advantage in shots in extra time.
"Shannon (Magnan) hit the post with a shot and Costner created a shot in the top of the box and the goalie made a great save," McGahey said. "Sometimes they go in and sometimes they don't."
The Chippewas will play the host Jayhawks on Sunday (2 p.m.). Kansas was scheduled to play Nebraska later on Friday night in its season opener.
The Jayhawks went 11-6-4, finished second in the Big 12, and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament last season.
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