Soccer team looks to repeat as MAC champions

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The CMU women’s soccer team will enter this season as the 2009 Mid-American Conference regular season and tournament conference champions, but it knows this is not 2009 anymore.

The team looks to become the first MAC team to win back-to-back regular season conference championships since Ball State did so in 2006 and 2007 and consecutive MAC tournaments since Toledo won three consecutive from 2006 to 2008.

Despite the loss of forwards Molly Gerst and Amanda Waugh to graduation, the Chippewas look to continue the success. The two combined for eight of CMU’s 37 goals last season.

First-team All-MAC junior forward Chelsi Abbott and sophomore forward Laura Twidle, who combined for 12 of those 37 goals, look to carry the offensive load for the team. It will also look for help from sophomores Charlese McLemore and Samantha Brenz, who currently is suffering from a foot injury.

Head coach Tom Anagnost hopes to see his team work hard day in and day out in preparation for the first two games of the season.

“If the kids are putting their best foot forward everyday and are committed to doing so, that’ll make me proud,” he said.

The midfield for CMU includes Valerie Prause and Jenna Hill, two of its three seniors, the other being MAC Defensive Player of the Year and goalkeeper Shay Mannino.

Prause, a first-team All-MAC athlete, looks to help guide a young midfield, and team with 18 underclassmen on a team of 24 players.

“Every day you have to commit to be better,” she said.

Other midfielders to compete for playing time are MAC Freshman of the Year Bailey Brandon and sophomores Ashley Mejilla and Autumn Hawkins, who was named to the MAC All-Freshman team last season.

A familiar face will be in net for the Chippewas this season as senior Shay Mannino will attempt to improve on her MAC career-leading 29 shutouts.

Anagnost is glad to see Mannino between the pipes for the Chippewas, citing her lead-by-example nature and hard work.

“Shay and sophomore Stefanie Turner are battling it out every day,” he said. “They both have their strengths and weaknesses. It’s a very competitive environment.”

Not only is Anagnost excited about having Mannino back, but so are the players.

“Shay has pulled some amazing saves,” said junior Liesel Toth. “She gave us some confidence last season. It’s awesome having Shay back.”

CMU opens the regular season with a two-game home stand against Wright State at 6 p.m. Friday and IPFW at 2 p.m. Sunday at the CMU Soccer Complex.