Pelafas leads soccer to MAC opener
Only one goal away from breaking the Central Michigan soccer team's all-time scoring record, junior forward Lexi Pelafas has a chance to make history this weekend in conference play.
The Central Michigan soccer team (5-2-1) will travel to play Kent State (4-3-1) on Friday to start Mid-American Conference play before going up against Ohio (3-5-0) on Sunday. In the 2016 campaign, the Chippewas’ season ended in a loss to Kent State in the MAC Tournament, 3-1.
Chippewa Offense
Pelafas was voted the NCAA Division I Women’s Soccer Player of the Week. She leads CMU into the weekend with six goals in seven games. Her most recent performance was highlighted by a three-goal effort in a 4-2 victory over Mount St. Mary’s. She currently holds a share of the all-time scoring record with Stephanie Martin (26).
CMU has two of the top three scorers in the MAC leading their attack. While Pelafas is first, junior forward Madison Costner ranks third with four goals. The offense leads the division with 132 shots, of which 42 belong to Pelafas.
The Chippewas enter MAC action with the second-best record in the West Division, which is controlled by Western Michigan (5-2-0). The East Division is led by Bowling Green (5-2-0) and followed by Kent State and Ohio. This is the first weekend of conference play.
Scouting Report
The goalkeepers CMU will be facing are among the top in the MAC. Kent State’s tandem of Katie Kingsbury and Ashleah McDonald have combined for the top spot in the conference with a 0.85 goals against average. Meanwhile, Ohio’s Sydney Malham has an 87.5 save percentage, good for second in the league.
As for the offensive attack, Kent State is led by freshman midfielder Vital Kats. She is ranked fourth in the MAC with four goals in six games, averaging 0.57 goals per game. Junior defender Paige Culver has logged 740 minutes, which is the most on the team. She was a First Team All-MAC selection last season, playing in every game for the Golden Flashes.
Ohio is led by senior forward Allie Curry with two goals in eight games. The Bobcats are coming off a 3-0 road loss against Dayton. Ohio has 111 shots, 53 shots on goal, and five goals through eight games this season.
CMU faces Kent State at 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 22 at Zoeller Field. Next, CMU plays Ohio at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 24 at Chessa Field.
