Central Michigan University Athletics
Thursday, September 17
Mount Pleasant, Mich.
7 p.m.
Central Michigan University
2-5-1, 0-1-0
0
vs
1
Buffalo
4-2-2, 1-0-0
| Team | 1 | 2 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buffalo | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Central Michigan | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Photo by: Kobe Rogers '29 - @jmorunnerup
Chippewas Clipped by Buffalo in MAC Opener, 1-0
9/17/2026 10:20:00 PM | Soccer
Even-handed battle tips to the Bulls; Betzold continues to threaten up front
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. — Central Michigan Soccer dropped its Mid-American Conference opener, 1-0, Thursday night to Buffalo at the CMU Soccer Complex.
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The Chippewas look ahead to a visit to Eastern Michigan Sunday (Sept. 20; 1 p.m. ET) before the program's first-ever home Saturday bout with Bowling Green (Sept. 26; 1 p.m. ET).
Despite a pair of crowd-engaging runs in the first half, CMU was held scoreless for the Bulls to seize an opportunity in the 72nd minute.
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Ella Betzold (Essexville, Mich. / Garber) again brought pressure on the front end with opportunities in the sixth and 28th minutes.
The first, a clean through-ball from Kylee Weed (Jackson, Mich. / Northwest) for a successful one-on-one with the Buffalo keeper only to run out of space at the end line—eerily similar to an early attempt at Butler on Sunday.
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The second, a 30-yard footrace with two Bulls to collect a clearance from Rachel Jackson (Bloomfield Hills, Mich. / Detroit Country Day) and earn CMU's second corner of the half.
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"It comes down to moments," Head Coach James DeCosemo said. "Sometimes they go in and sometimes they don't; today was one of those days."
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A five-body scrum at the 6' was the moment Buffalo capitalized on.
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"It's a moment of chaos that we didn't handle very well. That's usually what scores goals: second balls, second phases."
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Yet, a program with its win total already doubled from a year ago stood in for an even-handed 90 minutes with the 2025 MAC Championship runner-up.
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Total attempts tilted just 11-9, on-target attempts 3-2, in favor of the Bulls.
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"Buffalo has been notoriously very good in this conference and we went toe-to-toe with them tonight. It's much more competitive than it's been in the past."
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Central Michigan Athletics hosted the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe for an on-field tribal drum ceremony prior to introductions, a first-time experience of current members of the program.
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"I'm really appreciative of the tribe coming out and kicking our first conference game off with the drum ceremony. Connecting with the community is a huge part of our program and the girls getting to see this, and be a part of it, was something special."
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The Chippewas look ahead to a visit to Eastern Michigan Sunday (Sept. 20; 1 p.m. ET) before the program's first-ever home Saturday bout with Bowling Green (Sept. 26; 1 p.m. ET).
Despite a pair of crowd-engaging runs in the first half, CMU was held scoreless for the Bulls to seize an opportunity in the 72nd minute.
Â
Ella Betzold (Essexville, Mich. / Garber) again brought pressure on the front end with opportunities in the sixth and 28th minutes.
The first, a clean through-ball from Kylee Weed (Jackson, Mich. / Northwest) for a successful one-on-one with the Buffalo keeper only to run out of space at the end line—eerily similar to an early attempt at Butler on Sunday.
Â
The second, a 30-yard footrace with two Bulls to collect a clearance from Rachel Jackson (Bloomfield Hills, Mich. / Detroit Country Day) and earn CMU's second corner of the half.
Â
"It comes down to moments," Head Coach James DeCosemo said. "Sometimes they go in and sometimes they don't; today was one of those days."
Â
A five-body scrum at the 6' was the moment Buffalo capitalized on.
Â
"It's a moment of chaos that we didn't handle very well. That's usually what scores goals: second balls, second phases."
Â
Yet, a program with its win total already doubled from a year ago stood in for an even-handed 90 minutes with the 2025 MAC Championship runner-up.
Â
Total attempts tilted just 11-9, on-target attempts 3-2, in favor of the Bulls.
Â
"Buffalo has been notoriously very good in this conference and we went toe-to-toe with them tonight. It's much more competitive than it's been in the past."
Â
Central Michigan Athletics hosted the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe for an on-field tribal drum ceremony prior to introductions, a first-time experience of current members of the program.
Â
"I'm really appreciative of the tribe coming out and kicking our first conference game off with the drum ceremony. Connecting with the community is a huge part of our program and the girls getting to see this, and be a part of it, was something special."
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Players Mentioned
Team Stats
UB
CMU
Goals
1
0
Shots
11
9
Shots on Goal
3
2
Saves
2
2
Corners
6
2
Fouls
9
7
Scoring Plays
Mae Hunt (1)
Assisted By: Eva Poissant
GOAL by UB Hunt, Mae Assist by Poissant, Eva.
71:15
Game Leaders
fwd
Shots
3
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
mid
Shots
2
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
Thursday, September 17
Sunday, September 06
Thursday, September 03
Thursday, August 27