Chippewas Collect Draw from Cincinnati, 1-1

Thursday, September 3

Mount Pleasant, Mich.

7 p.m.

Central Michigan University

2-2-1, 0-0-0

Cincinnati

1-2-2, 0-0-0

Team	1	2	Final F
Cincinnati	0	1	1
Central Mich.	0	1	1

CMU Soccer vs Cincinnati, September 3rd, 2026

Photo by: Kailey Hill '26 - @rahsignz

CMU Soccer vs. Cincinnati (September 3, 2026)

Photo by: Addison Glascock '29 - @addisonglasphotography

9/3/2026 10:30:00 PM | Soccer

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Betzold collects second goal of the season; No. 16 Wisconsin on the horizon

By: Harrison LaLone

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. — Central Michigan Soccer finished in a 1-1 tie with Cincinnati Thursday night at the CMU Soccer Complex.

"We're disappointed we didn't win," Head Coach James DeCosemo said. "It's weird to say, but it shows how far we've come so quickly."

Ella Betzold (Essexville, Mich. / Garber) collected her second goal of the season in the 67^th minute as the forward-pressure style implemented this season paid off.

"The whole way we play is based on how we defend. We tweaked some things at half time to give us some more pressure up the field and that led to us getting the goal."

Ella Dykstra (St. Joseph, Mich. / Saint Joseph) intercepted a pass from the box by the Bearcats' keeper, found an alert Olivia Bretz (Lexington, Ky. / Lexington Catholic) at the 18' who left Betzold a quality crossbody pass for the right-footed strike.

CMU had put the Bearcats on their heals in the 55^th minute with back-to-back quality looks from Betzold and Claire Bergsma (Grand Rapids, Mich. / Forest Hills Central) via corner attempts—the area of success in the Chippewas' drubbing of Purdue Fort Wayne, 6-1, a week prior.

The first half had the Chippewas weathering the storm at a 7-1 disadvantage in shots, 3-0 in corners. Jadia Kershaw (Lewis Center, Ohio / Olentangy Orange) collected two of her three saves in the first 45 minutes but was active on multiple service attempts in the box while her back line prevented point-blank opportunities.

"We stood up strong; we made the saves we needed to make. It was probably more impressive that we limited them to 'half-chances' or long shots."

A momentarily lapse—a sour touch on the back line—led to an opportunistic breakaway for Cincinnati to level the contest in the 78^th minute.

"Big picture-wise, to say that we were that competitive and played that well is what we have to focus on but still learn from the errors."

Central Michigan Soccer completes its three-match homestand Sunday (1 p.m. ET) with one of the biggest visits to Mount Pleasant in program history: No. 16 Wisconsin.

"We don't have any pressure—we're not meant to win, we're not meant to get a result in the game, and I think that's a really cool place to be. This is a great opportunity to build, get better and have a go at a really good team."

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