Senior Day Celebration For Soccer

Sunday, April 11

Mount Pleasant, Mich.

1 p.m.

Central Michigan University

5-4-0, 5-4-0MAC

Northern Illinois

1-9-0, 1-9-0MAC

Northern Illinois

Central Michigan

Photo by: Emma Hug

4/11/2021 4:57:00 PM | Soccer

Box Score Photo Gallery

By: Rachel Bednarz, CMUChippewas.com

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. – The Central Michigan soccer team finished their season with a 3-0 win against Northern Illinois on Sunday at the CMU Soccer/Lacrosse Complex.

The Chippewas outshot the Huskies, 21-4, with 10 shots of their shots on goal to one for NIU.

Central's first goal was scored by Jaelyn Dobrowolski in the 15^th minute. Natalie Belsito gave CMU a 2-0 lead seven minutes later with a goal assisted by Katie Coleman. Samantha Kaye-Toral scored CMU's final goal in the 53^rd minute with an assist from Belsito.

"The first 25 to 30 minutes of the game I thought we performed really well," CMU coach Jeremy Groves said. "We created a bunch of chances and fortunately we were able to score some good goals."

It was the final game of the season for the Chippewas, who finished 5-4. They began the season 4-1 and then suffered a three-game losing streak before closing with the win on Sunday.

"I'm happy that we got back on track after the three games where we struggled a little bit in terms of scoring," Groves said. "I think we've been playing the same way, I think the difference was today we took our chances and scored some goals. I'm just happy that on senior day we got to send of three really great seniors in a great way."

The season was stacked with challenges as the CMU, like everybody else, navigated COVID-19 precautions while working to improve. They played a nine-game MAC-only schedule.

"There's a lot to be proud of," Groves said. "I think how we've overcame everything in terms of COVID and the uncertainty of games and of training and everything that's gone on. I think how the players have managed themselves off the field, they've made soccer a priority.

"We're so close to getting to where we want to be and that's being a championship team."

Belsito led the Chippewas with four goals. Dobrowolski and Kaye-Toral finished with three each.

The Chippewas finished the season with a 2-to-1 advantage over their opponents in both shots and shots on goal. They also had almost twice as many corner kicks combined than their opponents and outscored their foes, 15-9. All of those numbers are signs that the Chippewas are indeed close to contending for a league title.

"We've out-possessed every team, we've outshot every team, so we're starting to turn the corner," Groves said. "Every game we've had, we've had a ton of really good chances; moving forward we've got to be more clinical with our finishing in the final third."