Soccer collects first shutout of 2024 in all-around MAC win over Akron

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. — Central Michigan Soccer collected its first Mid-American Conference victory of 2024 Sunday afternoon, 1-0, over Akron.

"Although we got a decent result on Thursday, we didn't perform to the levels of what we had been doing in previous weeks," Head Coach Jeremy Groves said. "Today, our performance in terms of shape was much better, and we were a lot more secure in transition. I think we really limited them to doing the bare minimum."

The Chippewas allowed just five shot attempts from the Zips, tying the fewest since Sept. 3, 2021, aiding senior keeper Allison LaPoint (Royal Oak, Mich. / Shrine Catholic) to her first clean sheet of 2024.

"The conference is going to get tougher as we go along. If we can be more secure in the back, especially in the midfield or in transition moments, we can help Al as well, like we did today."

Lauren Walker (Essexville, Mich. / Garber) tallied her second goal of the season in the 36^th minute as she bullied her way in from the Akron keeper's left while toeing the end line.

"We scored a goal but probably the area where we want to improve is in the final third. I thought we could have had a few more opportunities than what we got in today's game."

CMU corralled the ball in its forward third for nearly 30 percent of the contest compared to just 10 percent of the match spent in front of the Chippewas' goal. The back line, anchored by center backs Rachel Logue (Oak Hills, Calif. / Serrano) and Grace Baczek (Libertyville, Ill. / Libertyville), allowed just one on-target attempt from Akron, saved by LaPoint.

"I thought our pressing was really good throughout the game. Toward the end of the game, they changed shape and we had to adjust because we couldn't press anymore."

Claudia Muessig (Paw Paw, Mich. / Paw Paw) added two more on-target attempts, both from outside the 18'. She was the first to alert the Zips' keeper in the 33^rd minute just before Walker's goal. Ashley Scesniak (Hoffman Estates, Ill. / William Fremd) offered CMU's other of four on-target attempts Sunday in the 53^rd minute, straightaway from distance.

"It's important that we don't just score a goal and sit back, we have to keep pushing. I felt like we did that today, kept pushing and trying to score."

CMU's undefeated start to MAC play and four points in the conference standings via Sunday's win and last Thursday's draw, 2-2, at Eastern Michigan, is the best start for the program since 2019. Its three victories through nine games is the most since 2021, despite playing four power-conference opponents in the non-league slate.

Central Michigan Soccer will visit Northern Illinois for a 2 p.m. ET kickoff Thursday afternoon, then return to the CMU Soccer Complex Sunday to host arch-rival Western Michigan for Hooligans' Day. The Huskies have a pair of draws, the Broncos also 1-0-1 to start MAC play.

Follow Central Michigan Soccer:
TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK

— CMU —

Soccer collects first shutout of 2024 in all-around MAC win over Akron

Next Event

Team Stats

Lauren Walker

Ashley Scesniak

Claudia Muessig

Cece Mernatti

Players Mentioned

Grace Baczek

Allison LaPoint

Rachel Logue

Claudia Muessig

Ashley Scesniak

Lauren Walker