Central Michigan University Athletics
Thursday, August 20
Charleston, S.C. / CSU Soccer Field
3 p.m.
Central Michigan University
1-1-0, 0-0-0
3
at
2
Charleston Southern
0-2-0, 0-0-0
| Team | 1 | 2 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central Michigan | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| Charleston Southern | 1 | 1 | 2 |
Photo by: Harrison LaLone
Chippewas Withstand the Heat, Earn DeCosemo Era’s First Win, 3-2
8/20/2026 8:21:00 PM | Soccer
High-scoring affair lifts CMU Soccer over Charleston Southern
CHARLESTON, S.C. — A Gatorade bath is the perfect way to overcome a Southern heat wave.
Central Michigan Soccer took down Charleston Southern, 3-2, to open its weekend swing in South Carolina Thursday afternoon. A date with Coastal Carolina Sunday (Aug. 23; Noon ET) will cap the getaway.
"I'll take the Gatorade as many times as possible," Head Coach James DeCosemo said. "I'll take it every day if it means we're winning."
The first-year leader of the Chippewas had to wait eight months since his hire, but just eight days since the regular season began, to earn his first victory with the program—a quick rebound for CMU after it went into the season finale without a victory in 2025.
"Super pleased to get the first win. Would like us to play a little better, but took some really good steps forward from the last game too."
A new-look, quick-paced offense under DeCosemo took hold for three goals Thursday, led by an electric super-sub performance from senior Jordan Bailey (Huntington Beach, Calif. / Huntington Beach).
Bailey alerted the Buccaneers' back line three minutes into her appearance as it took three field players to prevent her from scoring after juking the CSU keeper. She scored in her eighth minute on a similar run, directed by sophomore Naomi Phillips (Markham, Ontario / Bill Crothers).
"Jordan came on and changed the game in the first half. The offense generally takes a little bit more time to click as we change shapes, put people in different spots, but there were some real bright spots today."
The senior pulled no punches as she drove into the box again to draw a penalty attempt in response to the first CSU equalizer. Phillips claimed the spot and her first goal as a Chippewa.
Four-year Chippewa Rachel Jackson (Bloomfield Hills, Mich. / Detroit Country Day) was the day's hero as she collected the game-winner in the 82nd minute from a quality service by junior Ella Betzold (Essexville, Mich. / Garber), put in motion by senior Melaina Troy (Rochester Hills, Mich. / Rochester).
Bailey and Betzold have each started once, came off the bench once up front to start the season: both have shown opportunity for production as substitutes.
"They've recognized how to impact the game, which is what it takes to be a sub. That's credit to the way that they've approached being on the sideline. They just have the tools to change games, which is what we want them to do."
The Chippewas beat the heat Thursday afternoon after just 48 hours spent in Charleston—which has endured excessive heat advisories for the better part of the last two weeks.
"We've done a good job of climatizing. We talked about it being mostly mental and to be excited for the opportunity to go somewhere new."
CMU Soccer had never competed in South Carolina through its first 28 seasons and carried a five-match winless streak (0-4-1) against first-time opponents since 2021 into Thursday's bout.
Refreshing 😁#FireUpChips🔥⬆️⚽ pic.twitter.com/krM1GmgJ9M
— CMU Women's Soccer (@CMU_W_Soccer) August 21, 2026
Central Michigan Soccer took down Charleston Southern, 3-2, to open its weekend swing in South Carolina Thursday afternoon. A date with Coastal Carolina Sunday (Aug. 23; Noon ET) will cap the getaway.
"I'll take the Gatorade as many times as possible," Head Coach James DeCosemo said. "I'll take it every day if it means we're winning."
The first-year leader of the Chippewas had to wait eight months since his hire, but just eight days since the regular season began, to earn his first victory with the program—a quick rebound for CMU after it went into the season finale without a victory in 2025.
"Super pleased to get the first win. Would like us to play a little better, but took some really good steps forward from the last game too."
A new-look, quick-paced offense under DeCosemo took hold for three goals Thursday, led by an electric super-sub performance from senior Jordan Bailey (Huntington Beach, Calif. / Huntington Beach).
Bailey alerted the Buccaneers' back line three minutes into her appearance as it took three field players to prevent her from scoring after juking the CSU keeper. She scored in her eighth minute on a similar run, directed by sophomore Naomi Phillips (Markham, Ontario / Bill Crothers).
"Jordan came on and changed the game in the first half. The offense generally takes a little bit more time to click as we change shapes, put people in different spots, but there were some real bright spots today."
The senior pulled no punches as she drove into the box again to draw a penalty attempt in response to the first CSU equalizer. Phillips claimed the spot and her first goal as a Chippewa.
Four-year Chippewa Rachel Jackson (Bloomfield Hills, Mich. / Detroit Country Day) was the day's hero as she collected the game-winner in the 82nd minute from a quality service by junior Ella Betzold (Essexville, Mich. / Garber), put in motion by senior Melaina Troy (Rochester Hills, Mich. / Rochester).
Bailey and Betzold have each started once, came off the bench once up front to start the season: both have shown opportunity for production as substitutes.
"They've recognized how to impact the game, which is what it takes to be a sub. That's credit to the way that they've approached being on the sideline. They just have the tools to change games, which is what we want them to do."
The Chippewas beat the heat Thursday afternoon after just 48 hours spent in Charleston—which has endured excessive heat advisories for the better part of the last two weeks.
"We've done a good job of climatizing. We talked about it being mostly mental and to be excited for the opportunity to go somewhere new."
CMU Soccer had never competed in South Carolina through its first 28 seasons and carried a five-match winless streak (0-4-1) against first-time opponents since 2021 into Thursday's bout.
Players Mentioned
F
/ Soccer
F
/ Soccer
M
/ Soccer
M
/ Soccer
M
/ SoccerTeam Stats
CMU
CSU
Goals
3
2
Shots
11
19
Shots on Goal
6
5
Saves
3
2
Corners
2
8
Fouls
11
4
Scoring Plays
Jordan Bailey (1)
Assisted By: Naomi Phillips
GOAL by CMU Bailey, Jordan Assist by Phillips, Naomi.
34:43
Delaney Evers (1)
GOAL by CSU Evers, Delaney.
36:07
Naomi Phillips
CMU Naomi Phillips PENALTY KICK GOAL.
39:51
Rowyn Serne (1)
Assisted By: Katie Hoffman , Delaney Evers
GOAL by CSU Serne, Rowyn Assist by Hoffman, Katie and Evers, Delaney.
66:42
Rachel Jackson (1)
Assisted By: Ella Betzold , Melaina Troy
GOAL by CMU Jackson, Rachel Assist by Betzold, Ella and Troy, Melaina.
76:11
Game Leaders
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
1
Shots
3
SOG
2
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
fwd
Shots
1
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
1
Tuesday, May 05
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Thursday, October 16