Central Michigan University Athletics
Friday, September 28
Buffalo, N.Y.
7:00 p.m. ET
Central Michigan University
at
Buffalo
Photo by: Allissa Rusco
Chippewa Soccer Goes To Buffalo, Akron
9/27/2018 9:56:00 PM | Soccer
CMU is one of three teams unbeaten in MAC play
Andy Glezen, CMUChippewas.com
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. – Coming off a pair of home wins to begin Mid-American Conference play, the Central Michigan soccer team will hit the road this weekend looking to pick up another six points.
The Chippewas (4-6, 2-0 MAC) will travel to Buffalo on Friday (7 p.m.) and to Akron on Sunday (1 p.m.).
RIDING THE MOMENTUM
Last Friday, CMU was victorious in an overtime thriller in its conference opener, with Marle Bringard scoring with just 18 seconds remaining in the scond overtime to give the Chippewas a 1-0 win over Ohio.
CMU won another tightly contested match on Sunday against Kent State improving to 2-0 in the MAC. This time, sophomore Natalie Belsito was the hero scoring her first collegiate goal in the 69th minute giving the Chippewas a 2-1 lead.
CMU coach Peter McGahey said he has been encouraged by the energy he has seen from his team this week in practice.
"Anytime you can pick up two MAC wins, particularly back to back, is really good." he said. "I think there was certainly an injection of confidence within the team room."
UNBEATEN
The Chippewas are one of three MAC teams to have gone through the first weekend of league play unscathed. Bowling Green and Western Michigan are also 2-0.
PELAFAS
Lexi Pelafas picked up an assist against Kent State, increasing her point total to 15. She leads the Chippewas in both points and goals with six. Pelafas also has three assists.
The senior ranks third in the MAC in pointsz and is tied for second in goals. She is also second in the conference in shots per game.
Last season, Pelafas logged 1,554 minutes in posting 28 points. She scored 13 goals while adding two assists.
In 2016, Pelafas set the Central Michigan single-season record for goals with 16 and points with 35.
The Wheaton, Ill. native is already the CMU all-time leader in goals with 39 and points with 86.
DEPTH
McGahey said the Chippewas are confident heading into a stretch of four games in 11 days, with three of them on the road. His optimism springs from the team's depth.
"I think again that the women have done a really good job of continuing to compete in training," he said. "A deep team is a credit to the team because those players are continuing to believe, continuing to fight and continuing to do the right things."
SCOUTING REPORT
Buffalo (7-2, 1-1) had a seven-game win steak before falling at Western Michigan last Sunday. Carissima Cutrona leads the Bulls and the MAC in points with 19 points.
Akron (4-5-1, 1-1 MAC) most recently defeated Northern Illinois after falling to Western Michigan last weekend. Sydney Worthy leads the Zips and is eighth in the conference with four goals.
NEXT
Central Michigan will return to Mount Pleasant on Oct. 4 (7 p.m.), hosting Bowling Green at the CMU Soccer Stadium.
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. – Coming off a pair of home wins to begin Mid-American Conference play, the Central Michigan soccer team will hit the road this weekend looking to pick up another six points.
The Chippewas (4-6, 2-0 MAC) will travel to Buffalo on Friday (7 p.m.) and to Akron on Sunday (1 p.m.).
RIDING THE MOMENTUM
Last Friday, CMU was victorious in an overtime thriller in its conference opener, with Marle Bringard scoring with just 18 seconds remaining in the scond overtime to give the Chippewas a 1-0 win over Ohio.
CMU won another tightly contested match on Sunday against Kent State improving to 2-0 in the MAC. This time, sophomore Natalie Belsito was the hero scoring her first collegiate goal in the 69th minute giving the Chippewas a 2-1 lead.
CMU coach Peter McGahey said he has been encouraged by the energy he has seen from his team this week in practice.
"Anytime you can pick up two MAC wins, particularly back to back, is really good." he said. "I think there was certainly an injection of confidence within the team room."
UNBEATEN
The Chippewas are one of three MAC teams to have gone through the first weekend of league play unscathed. Bowling Green and Western Michigan are also 2-0.
PELAFAS
Lexi Pelafas picked up an assist against Kent State, increasing her point total to 15. She leads the Chippewas in both points and goals with six. Pelafas also has three assists.
The senior ranks third in the MAC in pointsz and is tied for second in goals. She is also second in the conference in shots per game.
Last season, Pelafas logged 1,554 minutes in posting 28 points. She scored 13 goals while adding two assists.
In 2016, Pelafas set the Central Michigan single-season record for goals with 16 and points with 35.
The Wheaton, Ill. native is already the CMU all-time leader in goals with 39 and points with 86.
DEPTH
McGahey said the Chippewas are confident heading into a stretch of four games in 11 days, with three of them on the road. His optimism springs from the team's depth.
"I think again that the women have done a really good job of continuing to compete in training," he said. "A deep team is a credit to the team because those players are continuing to believe, continuing to fight and continuing to do the right things."
SCOUTING REPORT
Buffalo (7-2, 1-1) had a seven-game win steak before falling at Western Michigan last Sunday. Carissima Cutrona leads the Bulls and the MAC in points with 19 points.
Akron (4-5-1, 1-1 MAC) most recently defeated Northern Illinois after falling to Western Michigan last weekend. Sydney Worthy leads the Zips and is eighth in the conference with four goals.
NEXT
Central Michigan will return to Mount Pleasant on Oct. 4 (7 p.m.), hosting Bowling Green at the CMU Soccer Stadium.
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