Perez Ayala Scores, Chippewas Forced into Draw by Toledo, 1-1

Thursday, September 25

Mount Pleasant, Mich.

7 p.m.

Central Michigan University

0-7-2, 0-1-2

Toledo

3-2-4, 0-1-2

Toledo

Central Michigan

Photo by: Lauren Verellen '26 - @laurenverellen_photography

Perez Ayala Scores, Chippewas Forced into Draw by Toledo, 1-1

9/25/2025 10:49:00 PM | Soccer

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CMU Soccer hosted its first match under the lights in 2025, put on a show with the Rockets in the second half

By: Harrison LaLone

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. — Central Michigan Soccer was forced into a second consecutive draw in Mid-American Conference play Thursday night in a 1-1 tally against Toledo at the CMU Soccer Complex.

"I thought we had a great week of training this week," Head Coach Jeremy Groves said, "and I think they're only going to get better as time goes on."

Freshman Jimena Perez Ayala (Monterrey, Mexico / ASF Monterrey) scored her first career goal in the in the 55^th minute to give the Chippewas their first lead of the season, as Melaina Troy's (Rochester Hills, Mich. / Rochester) strike at Ball State last week (Sept. 18) came as an equalizer in the previous 1-1 mark in the league play.

Perez Ayala unofficially scored CMU's first goal of the season in a preseason 1-1 exhibition result at Detroit Mercy (Aug. 7).

"She did well in the preseason, but she's struggled a bit in the early part of the season. I think it's going to take all of these freshmen a little bit of time, but it was great to see her get one there."

The score came as Ella Dykstra (St. Joseph, Mich. / Saint Joseph) settled a loose ball just outside Toledo's penalty box, who led Troy toward the corner to cross into traffic for Perez Ayala to finish; both players were credited an assist for the effort.

Junior keeper Brylee Borgman (Norton Shores, Mich. / Mona Shores) stood in for four saves, taking an untimely goal from the Rockets late in the 66^th minute during transition off substitutions, cutting CMU's first lead short.

"I think there was some confusion around the goal. One referee had granted one of our players time to tie her shoes across the field, but then they threw the ball in, pretty much right as they subbed. So, it was kind of disappointing how the goal happened."

The Chippewas had multiple close calls for a second goal throughout the contest. Troy and Ella Betzold (Essexville, Mich. / Garber) each had a header attempt in the midst of a scrum just three minutes into the contest with Toledo's keeper out of position; Betzold later put a strong attempt on-frame in the 21^st minute, the first of five on-target shots from five different CMU players.

The Rockets were fingertips away from taking a 2-1 lead in the 78^th minute as Borgman collected a point-blank line drive from well inside the 18', tipping it up to slow it down before securing it just two steps ahead of her line.

"In the end, I think we're a little disappointed to go up and not close it out. I didn't think, at the time, they were threatening us that much, then we went about 10 minutes where I felt like we panicked, and they got on top of the game at that point for the next five to 10 minutes."

Continuing a season-long trend, Central Michigan's starting lineup featured just three players that saw action for the Chippewas last season: Betzold, Rachel Jackson (Bloomfield Hills, Mich. / Detroit Country Day) and Grace Cameron (Clio, Mich. / Flint Powers). The overhauled roster has put together back-to-back draws as the new rotation begins to gel after a 15-senior departure in 2024.

"Obviously, we've struggled early on, but we're mostly made up of freshmen and sophomores. We lost 15 seniors last year; tonight's lineup only had three players that played last year for us. So, we're making good strides, but I think if you're in a winning position, we have to see that game out."

Perez Ayala joins Betzold to mark the first time a freshman has scored in consecutive seasons for Central Michigan since the spring and fall seasons of 2021 (Jaelyn Dobrowolski, Lauren Walker). Betzold became the fifth true freshman under Groves to score, Perez Ayala the sixth.

Chippewa Soccer heads to Bowling Green Sunday for a 1 p.m. kickoff with the Falcons, then returns home for back-to-back MAC contests against Northern Illinois (Oct. 2, 7 p.m. ET) and Massachusetts (Oct. 5, 1 p.m. ET)—the latter represents senior day.