Central Michigan University Athletics
Thursday, March 18
Mount Pleasant, Mich.
3 p.m.
Central Michigan University
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Western Michigan
Photo by: Jack Reeber '23,M'25 - @jackreeber.raw
Soccer Entertains Western In Big MAC Contest
3/17/2021 5:12:00 PM | Soccer
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. – The Central Michigan soccer team faces an important early season game on Thursday (3 p.m.) when it entertains rival Western Michigan in a Mid-American Conference game at the CMU Soccer/Lacrosse Complex.
The Chippewas are 2-1-0 and are tied for second place in the MAC West with Eastern Michigan. Western is in the top spot at 2-0-1.
True, it's just the fourth game of the season, and in any other year, teams are still settling their lineups and identifying strengths and weaknesses at this point.
But, alas, it's 2021, and with COVID, the Chippewas and their MAC brethren are playing a 10-game, league-only schedule, which makes every game critical. Upping the ante even further is the fact that there will be no league tournament. The championship, and the NCAA Tournament berth, goes to the team with the best record.
All of that magnifies the importance of Thursday's game for CMU, one of six 2-1 squads in the 12-team league. The Broncos are the lone unbeaten team.
The Chippewas are scheduled to go to Northern Illinois on Sunday (4 p.m.). The Huskies (1-2) are scheduled to play at Ball State on Thursday.
Last Time Out
The Chippewas got a goal in the 72nd minute in winning at Toledo, 2-1, last Friday. It was CMU's second-consecutive win, and it came in a physical, scrappy game that featured three yellow cards, all on the Rockets.
Senior Natalie Belsito scored her team-leading third goal of the season in the victory; junior Fotini Demetriou, a transfer from Oakland, scored her first goal as a Chippewa. Freshman goalkeeper Allison LaPoint made two saves.
Scouting
The Broncos have yet to surrender a goal this season. They played Ball State to a 0-0 tie last weekend after opening the season with a 1-0 victory at Northern Illinois and then taking a 4-0 decision at home from Eastern Michigan.
Suzuna Shibukawa and Kayla Whelchel have scored two goals apiece for the Broncos, while Jenna Blackburn has posted two assists.
Maggie Rogers and Hannah Sargent have split Western's three games in goal. They have combined for 20 saves.
Northern Illinois dropped a 3-0 decision at home to Eastern Michigan on Sunday. One week prior, they beat Toledo, 2-1, in overtime.
Kierah Meier and Haley Hoppe have scored the Huskies' goals this season. NIU has been outshot, 44-26, on the season.
The Chippewas are 2-1-0 and are tied for second place in the MAC West with Eastern Michigan. Western is in the top spot at 2-0-1.
True, it's just the fourth game of the season, and in any other year, teams are still settling their lineups and identifying strengths and weaknesses at this point.
But, alas, it's 2021, and with COVID, the Chippewas and their MAC brethren are playing a 10-game, league-only schedule, which makes every game critical. Upping the ante even further is the fact that there will be no league tournament. The championship, and the NCAA Tournament berth, goes to the team with the best record.
All of that magnifies the importance of Thursday's game for CMU, one of six 2-1 squads in the 12-team league. The Broncos are the lone unbeaten team.
The Chippewas are scheduled to go to Northern Illinois on Sunday (4 p.m.). The Huskies (1-2) are scheduled to play at Ball State on Thursday.
Last Time Out
The Chippewas got a goal in the 72nd minute in winning at Toledo, 2-1, last Friday. It was CMU's second-consecutive win, and it came in a physical, scrappy game that featured three yellow cards, all on the Rockets.
Senior Natalie Belsito scored her team-leading third goal of the season in the victory; junior Fotini Demetriou, a transfer from Oakland, scored her first goal as a Chippewa. Freshman goalkeeper Allison LaPoint made two saves.
Scouting
The Broncos have yet to surrender a goal this season. They played Ball State to a 0-0 tie last weekend after opening the season with a 1-0 victory at Northern Illinois and then taking a 4-0 decision at home from Eastern Michigan.
Suzuna Shibukawa and Kayla Whelchel have scored two goals apiece for the Broncos, while Jenna Blackburn has posted two assists.
Maggie Rogers and Hannah Sargent have split Western's three games in goal. They have combined for 20 saves.
Northern Illinois dropped a 3-0 decision at home to Eastern Michigan on Sunday. One week prior, they beat Toledo, 2-1, in overtime.
Kierah Meier and Haley Hoppe have scored the Huskies' goals this season. NIU has been outshot, 44-26, on the season.
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