Soccer wins 1-0; extends shutout streak to nine

Sophomore forward Chelsi Abbott passed one defender and sent the ball off the right post and into the back of the net to give the CMU soccer team the only goal it needed.

The Chippewas (11-3, 6-0) defeated Miami (7-5-1, 3-2-1) 1-0 Sunday at the CMU Soccer Complex.

Abbott said a lot of credit for her goal should go toward senior forward Amanda Waugh, who brought the defense to her before passing it over.

“Amanda Waugh did a lot of the work,” she said. “She pulled it in so that I could make that run out.”

The win is Central’s ninth consecutive, all coming via shutout, which ties the Mid-American Conference record for most consecutive shutouts with Ohio of 2004.

“Today’s game was a very difficult one,” said coach Tom Anagnost. “Our girls were great today. They managed the game very well at the end and they showed leadership throughout the game. We weren’t as dynamic offensively as I would like, but we got better as the game wore on.”

Junior Shay Mannino made three saves to collect her ninth shutout of the season. She said her defense was responsible for not allowing Miami to take quality shots.

“We kept in front of them in the second half,” she said. “We knew we were going to have to shut them out and we did.”

Waugh and senior midfielder Stephanie Martin came off the bench for the sixth consecutive game. Anagnost said they provided the team a spark and made a difference as soon as they entered the field.

“Amanda does a real good job, especially with the ball, but she does a good job without it,” he said. “She gets behind and they have a calming effect on the team. Steph is just a special player.”

CMU outshot the RedHawks 12-7 and held two-time All-MAC First Team honoree Sara Lund to four shots.

Anagnost said his team overcame the mental challenge of playing in a close game against Miami, which was second in the MAC before the weekend.

“We’re just a little more mature and that means a lot in this game … Especially the returners, they have been through it and they know what it takes to win games like this.”

Ball State

Waugh made the play to put Central in the lead Friday as well, when she caused a turnover near Ball State’s 18-yard box and fired the ball off the right post to give Central a 1-0 lead.

“I knew that it was almost halftime and that it would be really positive to go into the second half with the lead and momentum,” she said. “So once that ball came through, I just wanted to pressure that back and, once I got the ball, I had to put it away.”

CMU outshot the Cardinals 12-3 in the first half.

Junior Valerie Prause added to CMU’s lead in the second half, knocking in a rebound after sophomore Clair Horton sent a free kick off the cross bar, which gave Central a 2-0 lead.

Freshman Bethany Allport finished the scoring when she sent a shot from the top left corner of the 18-yard box over the outstretched hands of Ball State’s Nicole Wood to put Central ahead 3-0.

The Chippewas play at 5 p.m. Friday at Northern Illinois.