Soccer beats Ohio 3-1, improves to 2-0 in MAC
The Central Michigan University women’s soccer team picked up right where it left off last season in the Mid-American Conference.
CMU improved to 2-0 in the MAC with a 3-1 win against Ohio Sunday at the CMU Soccer Complex.
Penalties seemed to be the story of the first half as Ohio amassed nine penalties to CMU’s three. The Bobcats also watched their midfielder Cathryn Rogers get a yellow card 30 minutes into the first half and midfielder Lauren Burke seconds later earned a red card and was ejected when she tried to hit a CMU player following a collision.
The Chippewas’ defense continued their strong performance, holding Ohio to three shots in the first half while senior goalkeeper Shay Mannino had a save.
Sophomore forward Laura Twidle provided CMU all the offense it needed, scoring her first two goals of the season to give the Chippewas a 2-0 lead.
Her first goal came in the 29th minute when she scored unassisted off her own rebound, while the second goal came right before the end of the first half of an assist from Liesel Toth.
“We had practiced the play all week and I was in the middle of my run and got a head on it,” Twidle said. “So I’m glad that worked out.”
Ohio got on the board in the 72nd minute to cut the lead to 2-1, but junior midfielder Claire Horton added a goal in the 85th minute to extend the Chippewas’ lead back to two goals.
CMU head coach Tom Anagnost was pleased with Twidle’s offensive production.
“She played really good, she came off the bench and provided a great spark for us,” Anagnost said. “I’m glad she had her way today.”
The Chippewas opened MAC play on Friday at home against Akron, beating the Zips 3-0.
CMU took an early 1-0 lead with a goal from sophomore midfielder Ashley Mejilla in the 24th minute of the game, setting itself up for a successful night. The Chippewas’ defense allowed only two goals in the first half of the game, leading the way to an eventual shutout.
The second half brought on a goal from freshman forward Nicole Samuel in the 54th minute, making the score 2-0 in favor of the Chippewas. Valerie Prauseadded the third goal on an assist from midfielder Jenna Hill.
