Central Michigan University Athletics
Friday, September 27
Muncie, Ind.
4 p.m.
Central Michigan University
at
Ball State
Photo by: Benjamin Suddendorf
Riding-High Soccer Program Heads Into MAC Play
9/26/2019 4:29:00 PM | Soccer
Chippewas look to maintain momentum as the stakes increase
MOUNT PLEASANT, MICH – The Jeremy Groves era of Central Michigan soccer is off to a grand start, capped by a 2-1 overtime victory at Kentucky that has the Chippewas 3-0-2 as they begin the Mid-American Conference portion of their schedule.
The Chippewas open league play with two road games this weekend, the first on Friday, Sept. 27 (4 p.m.) at Ball State (4 p.m.); the second on Sunday, Sept. 29 (1 p.m.) at Miami (Ohio).
Shifting to the MAC
The win over Kentucky, and the fact that the Chippewas are unbeaten, have given the program momentum and a shot of confidence heading into MAC-opening weekend.
"We have to make sure we're prepared and not overconfident," said Groves, who took over the program in December, 2018. "Sunday's win was a great result for our program, but if we lose on Friday, it makes all the work we did last week not relevant anymore. For us, it would be a statement win if we can go to Ball State and get a victory."
Regionally Ranked
The Chippewas have won three consecutive games and are ranked 10th in the United Soccer Coaches Midwest regional rankings. CMU has a MAC-best Ratings Percentage Index (RPI) of 71.
Golden Goal
Lauren DeBeau scored the game-winning goal against Kentucky as time expired in the first overtime.
It was the first career goal for DeBeau, a freshman from Shelby Township; Cami Taylor, another freshman, scored her first career game earlier in the game.
DeBeau's goal, which came off a corner kick, was perhaps a once-in-a-season or even once-in-a-lifetime moment. The goal was ranked the No. 5 best play of the week according to NCAA Soccer's Twitter page.
"I usually don't take corners," DeBeau said. "The clock was obviously winding down, no one was by the ball, so I grabbed it, set it up. I heard 'five, four,' and I shot it on three. As I shot it, I saw the wind helped me out a little bit. The wind kind of curved the ball, and I was like 'OK, this might have a good chance to get on someone's head.'
"But the ball went over the goalie's head and right in the back of the net. It was a crazy way to end the game, and a great win for us."
Scouting
Ball State is 6-2 and is coming off a 4-0 win over Purdue Fort Wayne. The Cardinals are ranked No. 8 in the Midwest region and hold an RPI of 72. The Cardinals were the MAC regular-season and tournament runners-up last season.
Miami (1-6) plays host to Eastern Michigan in their MAC opener on Friday.
Numbers
• Ball State and CMU have allowed just four goals each, which is the best among MAC teams. The Cardinals have scored 15 goals, which is second best among league squads.
• Ball State's Tatiana Hawkins-Dabney and Grace Alsop are tied for second in the MAC in goals with four each.
• Miami has scored a league-low three goals this season.
• CMU goalkeeper Zoe Reed ranks second in the MAC in saves (28) and save percentage (.875) and is third in saves per game (5.60).
Next
The Chippewas return home to CMU Soccer/Lacrosse Complex for the first time in nearly a month next weekend when they entertain rival Western Michigan on Friday, Oct. 4 (7 p.m.) and then welcome Northern Illinois on Sunday, Oct. 6 (1 p.m.). Both are MAC games.
The Chippewas open league play with two road games this weekend, the first on Friday, Sept. 27 (4 p.m.) at Ball State (4 p.m.); the second on Sunday, Sept. 29 (1 p.m.) at Miami (Ohio).
Shifting to the MAC
The win over Kentucky, and the fact that the Chippewas are unbeaten, have given the program momentum and a shot of confidence heading into MAC-opening weekend.
"We have to make sure we're prepared and not overconfident," said Groves, who took over the program in December, 2018. "Sunday's win was a great result for our program, but if we lose on Friday, it makes all the work we did last week not relevant anymore. For us, it would be a statement win if we can go to Ball State and get a victory."
Regionally Ranked
The Chippewas have won three consecutive games and are ranked 10th in the United Soccer Coaches Midwest regional rankings. CMU has a MAC-best Ratings Percentage Index (RPI) of 71.
Golden Goal
Lauren DeBeau scored the game-winning goal against Kentucky as time expired in the first overtime.
It was the first career goal for DeBeau, a freshman from Shelby Township; Cami Taylor, another freshman, scored her first career game earlier in the game.
DeBeau's goal, which came off a corner kick, was perhaps a once-in-a-season or even once-in-a-lifetime moment. The goal was ranked the No. 5 best play of the week according to NCAA Soccer's Twitter page.
"I usually don't take corners," DeBeau said. "The clock was obviously winding down, no one was by the ball, so I grabbed it, set it up. I heard 'five, four,' and I shot it on three. As I shot it, I saw the wind helped me out a little bit. The wind kind of curved the ball, and I was like 'OK, this might have a good chance to get on someone's head.'
"But the ball went over the goalie's head and right in the back of the net. It was a crazy way to end the game, and a great win for us."
Scouting
Ball State is 6-2 and is coming off a 4-0 win over Purdue Fort Wayne. The Cardinals are ranked No. 8 in the Midwest region and hold an RPI of 72. The Cardinals were the MAC regular-season and tournament runners-up last season.
Miami (1-6) plays host to Eastern Michigan in their MAC opener on Friday.
Numbers
• Ball State and CMU have allowed just four goals each, which is the best among MAC teams. The Cardinals have scored 15 goals, which is second best among league squads.
• Ball State's Tatiana Hawkins-Dabney and Grace Alsop are tied for second in the MAC in goals with four each.
• Miami has scored a league-low three goals this season.
• CMU goalkeeper Zoe Reed ranks second in the MAC in saves (28) and save percentage (.875) and is third in saves per game (5.60).
Next
The Chippewas return home to CMU Soccer/Lacrosse Complex for the first time in nearly a month next weekend when they entertain rival Western Michigan on Friday, Oct. 4 (7 p.m.) and then welcome Northern Illinois on Sunday, Oct. 6 (1 p.m.). Both are MAC games.
Players Mentioned
F
/ Soccer
M/F
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