Soccer Falls at Kent State, 3-1; Melin Strikes to Deny Shutout

Sunday, October 8

Kent, Ohio / Dix Stadium

1 PM

Central Michigan University

2-5-4, 1-4-1

Kent State

7-4-2, 4-2-0

Central Mich.

Kent St.

Photo by: Sydney Kline '26 - @sydney.kline.photography

Soccer Falls at Kent State, 3-1; Melin Strikes to Deny Shutout

10/8/2023 3:11:00 PM | Soccer

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Chippewas let up two set attempts, one free kick and one penalty in final road Sunday of conference play

By: Harrison LaLone

KENT, Ohio — Central Michigan Soccer dropped its final Sunday road match of its Mid-American Conference season at Kent State, 3-0.

So disappointed today after a good display on Thursday," Head Coach Jeremy Groves offered postgame.

The contest opened up with both squads flying up and down the pitch with little clear opportunity at either net. The Chippewas (2-5-4, 1-4-1 MAC) posted the first two shots on goal of the match by Olivia Bretz (Lexington, Ky. / Lexington Catholic) in the 19^th and Jocelin Zimmerer (Evergreen, Colo. / Evergreen) in the 32^nd minute, respectively.

A Kent State open run in the 39^th minute was shut down near the penalty area but took an aggressive stop that collected a caution, leading to a free kick opportunity for the Golden Flashes' (7-4-2, 4-2-0 MAC) Alisa Arthur to score late in the first half.

Brooke Carroll (Laguna Niguel, Calif. Aliso Niguel) alerted the Kent State keeper in the 54' looking for the equalizer, the lone on-frame attempt for either team until a second goal for the hosts was recorded near the end of the 59'. The third goal came via penalty in the 78^th minute to put the contest out of reach for CMU.

"We are making too many mistakes which are costing us right now," Groves added. "We have to bounce back on Thursday."

The Chippewas put up an answer in the late stages. Matilda Melin (Örnsköldsvik, Sweden / Nolaskolan) punched in her first goal of the season, fourth in her career, in the 86' thanks to a field in the box by Elizabeth Chlystun (Zionsville, Ind. / Zionsville Community), her first of the season and seventh of her career.

"We definitely had some bright moments in the game, but ultimately a penalty and free kick cost us today."

Central Michigan Soccer will stay out on the road Thursday for a late afternoon matchup at Ohio before returning to the CMU Soccer Complex for a visit from Akron for a 1 p.m. kickoff on Sunday, Oct. 15. The Chippewas will be hosting Alumni Weekend in conjunction with Homecoming festivities throughout the weekend.

"Still lots of points up for grabs, one result can drastically change things for us."

The 2023 Mid-American Conference Championship tournament begins Sunday Oct. 29 with quarterfinal matches between the league's third through sixth seeds of the six-team bracket. After Sunday's results, Northern Illinois's 10 points through its 3-2-1 record sits at the sixth spot with five league dates remaining across the conference.

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