Soccer: Big Weekend Opens With Rival Western

Friday, October 12

Kalamazoo, Mich.

4:00 p.m. ET

Central Michigan University

Western Michigan

Photo by: Allissa Rusco

10/11/2018 6:24:00 PM | Soccer

Chippewas in the thick of race for MAC Tournament berth

By: Mitch Vosburg

Mitch Vosburg, CMUChippewas.com

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. -- With only five regular-season games remaining in the season, the Central Michigan soccer team looks to remain in the hunt for a Mid-American Conference Tournament berth.

The Chippewas, who are 5-9, 3-3 MAC, head west for two conference matches this weekend, the first in Kalamazoo on Friday (4 p.m.) against rival Western Michigan, and the second on Sunday (3 p.m.) in DeKalb, Ill. against Northern Illinois.

WILD, WILD MAC
CMU is tied with Buffalo for seventh place in the league standings, while Ball State is sixth. The Chippewas and Bulls have nine points each (three points for each win, one for each tie), while Ball State has 10.

The top eight teams in the final standings earn a tournament bid. Eastern Michigan is in ninth place with six points.

ROAD WOES
The Chippewas are 1-6 this season in games played away from Mount Pleasant, and they have been outscored 17-4 in those seven matches. CMU dropped a match at Toledo last weekend.

"Anytime you go on the road in the MAC it poses unique challenges," coach Peter McGahey said. "I'm really pleased with how the team has come back this week to respond and keep building for this weekend."

RIVALRY FRIDAY
Western Michigan enters Friday's matchup with a 10-4 record, 4-2 in the MAC. WMU is among three teams tied for second place in the MAC.

WMU is a perfect 7-0 at home this season. The Broncos fell, 3-0, at Ball State on Sunday.

WMU is led by senior midfielder Alyssa Burke and junior midfielder Grace Labadie, each with 13 points on the season. Sophomore goalkeeper Hannah Sargent has started every game for WMU this season, ranking fourth in the MAC with a 1.20 goals against average. She shares the league lead with five shutouts.

Western ranks second in the league with 16.5 shots per game.

"They play with good urgency, good energy," McGahey said. "They get on you very quickly in transition."

The Broncos won last seasons matchup 2-1 in Mount Pleasant. WMU has won four of the last five contests against CMU.

"The rivalry is well-founded and something we take a great deal of pride in," McGahey said. "I expect a good old Central Michigan-Western Michigan rivalry battle on Friday."

SCOUTING NIU
Northern Illinois enters the weekend 1-13, 0-6. The Huskies will host Eastern Michigan on Friday. NIU ranks last in the MAC, averaging 0.5 goals per game.

CHIPPEWA LEADERS
Senior forward Lexi Pelafas leads CMU in scoring with 14 points (six goals, four assists). Madison Costner is next with 12 points (five goals, two assists) and Shannon Magnan has recorded 11 points (three goals, five assists).

Goalkeepers Biranna Wallbridge and Morgan Britain have each played eight games, combining for three shutouts and a 1.75 goals against average.

NEXT
The Chippewas return home next week for their final two home games, facing Ball State on Friday, Oct. 19 and Miami (Ohio) on Sunday, Oct. 21.