Soccer tops Miami (Ohio) 2-0 in final home game
Redshirt freshman defender Abby Willerer celebrates with her teammate after scoring her first career goal on Oct. 21 at the Soccer Complex.
Central Michigan soccer's chances of earning a bid to the MAC tournament improved Sunday with a convincing win over Miami (Ohio).
The Chippewas (7-11, 5-5) vault to a sixth place tie in the MAC with Buffalo. The top eight teams in conference advance to the MAC tournament.
Scoreless First Half
The Chippewa’s first opportunity to score came in the 17th minute when Marie Bringard took a shot that traveled just wide of the left post. Katie Coleman, who replaced Shannon Magnon after she suffered a knee injury, received a cross in the 30th minute but her shot sailed over the net.
Lexi Pelafas took a free kick from a dangerous position during the 43rd minute but missed just wide. Pelafas would have another opportunity to score in the 59th minute. A sequence of well-placed passes led to a cross that Pelafas headed toward goal, but Miami (Ohio) goalkeeper Lauren Parker made the save.
Late Strikes
In the 67th minute, CMU forward Madison Costner gave the Chippewas the lead with a tight angled shot. Mary Carlson and Pelafas were credited with the assist.
Defender Abby Willerer lined up for a free kick near the far sideline and proceeded to launch a long distance shot that found the back of the net. It was her first career goal.
“Maybe she saw the goalkeeper creeping just a little bit, “CMU coach Peter McGahey said. “To shoot that ball directly in is quite an accomplishment for Abby.”
Stats
The RedHawks first shot wouldn’t occur until late in the 48th minute. Neither team had a shot on goal in the first half. When 90 minutes expired, the Red Hawks only had one shot on goal to the Chippewa’s five.
CMU had five corner kicks, two of which occurred back to back in the 39th and 40th minutes.
Up Next
CMU will visit Ypsilanti to battle Eastern Michigan (9-10, 4-6) in a game that could decide their MAC tournament fate.
