Everything But the Back of the Net in Soccer Loss to Akron

Thursday, October 15

Mount Pleasant, Mich.

7 p.m.

Central Michigan University

2-8-4, 0-4-3

Akron

7-5-2, 3-2-2

Team	1	2	Final F
Akron	0	1	1
Central Michigan	0	0	0

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Photo by: Mackenzie Shirkey

10/15/2026 10:32:00 PM | Soccer

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The Chippewas put on dominant, though fruitless, offensive display against rising Zips

By: Harrison LaLone

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. — Despite advantages of 6-2 in shots on goal, 7-5 in corner attempts and a myriad of other near-miss services, Central Michigan Soccer was left to settle with a 1-0 defeat to Akron in Mid-American Conference play Thursday night.

"The most disappointed I've been not just because we lost, but mostly because of the way we lost," Head Coach James DeCosemo said. "I think we played really well and deserved more out of the game."

The Chippewas remain home Sunday (Oct. 18, 1 p.m. ET) to host arch-rival Western Michigan for senior day.

Momentum from a strong showing will mix with the added fuel of one of the league's premier all-sports rivalries.

"We have to use that fire, that rivalry, that spirit that's going to be here all week and put it into a performance. Listen, they're chasing another title … I want to be the one that stops them getting it."

An adjustment to the lineup paid immediate dividends Thursday: Ella Betzold (Essexville, Mich. / Garber) directing traffic from the right wing of the midfield, her first appearance away from the front line this season.

"One of the best individual performances I've seen this year in this conference. [Akron] changed three times to try and stop her. All it needed was an end moment—a goal, an assist, something like that. I thought she was frightening in the first half."

The junior offered several clean crosses as the Chippewas racked up four on-target attempts in the first 30 minutes, many times setting herself up off the dribble after evading multiple Akron defenders.

The strongest look came in the 12^th as Melaina Troy (Rochester, Mich. / Rochester Hills) received a Betzold cross on the 6', though the attempt would lead to one of four first-half saves for the Zips.

CMU threatened again immediately after intermission. On-target tries from Naomi Phillips (Markham, Ontario / Bill Crothers) and Grace Baczek (Libertyville, Ill. / Libertyville) were tallied from a trio of corner kicks just four minutes after sides flipped.

Akron got its break in the 60^th minute. A keeper clearance to midfield was collected and turned into a breakaway—two touches with 40 yards between each.

"The only thing I'd probably look back on and say is we could have responded with a little bit more composure, which starts with me."

Akron, in its second season under Maggie Kuhn, already has more wins this season (7) than any other since 2019, currently sitting fifth in the MAC standings with four matches left in the regular season.

"Credit to Akron, they've done this a lot this year. They've hung on in games, gotten some results and they have a great spirit about them."

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