Muessig Wills in Two Late Goals, CMU Draws Titans in Season Opener

Thursday, August 17

Detroit, Mich. / Titan Field

6 PM

Central Michigan University

Detroit Mercy

Photo by: Harrison LaLone

Muessig Wills in Two Late Goals, CMU Draws Titans in Season Opener

8/17/2023 11:17:00 PM | Soccer

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After several opportunities in the first half come up empty, a 45-minute second-half delay breaks up momentum, Chippewa Soccer comes away with 3-3 final from Detroit

By: Harrison LaLone

DETROIT — From 35 yards, with two bounces and only 11 seconds to play, Claudia Muessig (Paw Paw, Mich. / Paw Paw) tucks in a clutch free kick to end a marathon season-opener for Central Michigan in a draw, 3-3, at Detroit Mercy Thursday night to open the 2023 campaign.

The Chippewas (0-0-1) made themselves at home on the attack, doubling the Titans (0-0-1) in shots on goal, 12-6, while garnering a 7-3 advantage in corners and a 22-9 lead in shots overall. Muessig accounted for six on-target attempts including both CMU goals in the final 10 minutes.

Central Michigan found itself down, 2-0, after 45 minutes despite the incredible offensive advantage. The Titans found the back of the net in the sixth minute, then again in the final minute before intermission, but only fired off four shots during the half.

The offensive pressure from the Chippewas boiled over as Elizabeth Chlystun (Zionsville, Ind. / Zionsville Community) struck from the left corner of the 18' on a direct feed from Jocelin Zimmerer (Evergreen, Colo. / Evergreen) in the 59^th minute.

Fittingly, less than a minute after Chlystun's goal, lightning struck in the area and put the match on hold for over 45 minutes. The contest had already been delayed from its original 4:00 p.m. kickoff Thursday morning. Both squads returned from the delay ready for an energetic battle.

Muessig collected and finished a lob into the box from Ashley Scesniak (Hoffman Estates, Ill. / William Fremd) that was headed down by Rachel Logue (Oak Hills, Calif. / Serrano) right at 83 minutes to pull the match even. Exactly five minutes later, the Titans regained the lead from a set piece while the Chippewas were down to 10 on the field after a second yellow for Camryn Dunn (Brunswick, Ohio / Brunswick) sent her to the bench.

Just as the public address had cued his microphone to begin the 10-second countdown, Muessig's free kick served into the box took a strong bounce from the Titan Field turf to clear a header attempt and the contesting keeper to nestle inside the right post from long range, preserving the draw.

Central Michigan Soccer returns to Mount Pleasant for its home-opener Aug. 27 as it hosts Wright State (OH) for a 1:00 p.m. kickoff. The contest has been labelled the Fall 2023 Kickoff as Chippewa Athletics' first home event of the 2023-24 school year. The first 200 students to provide valid identification will receive a free T-Shirt upon admission.

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