CMU extends shutout streak to three games, beats UNI 2-0

Goals have been hard to come by this season for opponents of the Central Michigan women’s soccer team, and it continued on Friday.

CMU defeated Northern Iowa 2-0 for its third consecutive shutout of the season in the first of two games in the Iowa Tournament in Iowa City, Iowa.

Senior Shay Mannino earned her first win of the season in net, as she split time once again with sophomore Stefanie Turner. Turned, who played in the second half, held the Panthers scoreless to maintain the shutout.

CMU (3-0) has posted shutouts in 22 of its last 27 games and neither goalkeeper has allowed a goal in their 135 minutes of playing time this season, picking right up where they left off last season.

“We are applying a fair amount of pressure on the opponents,” said head coach Tom Anagnost.

Although CMU looked to have another scoreless first half, junior defensemen Liesel Toth changed things when she scored her fourth career goal during the 43rd minute. Her shot slipped through Northern Iowa goalkeeper Lauren Potzman’s hands.

Once again, the Chippewas outshot their opponents by a drastic margin, 29-6. Nine of the 29 shots were on goal and CMU doubled their margin of goals’ scored.

Freshman Nicole Samuel netted her second goal of the season during the 72nd minute. Samuel fired the ball off the crossbar and past the goalkeeper to extend the CMU lead to 2-0.

“We are please with her progress,” Anagnost said.

Junior forward Chelsi Abbott had a game-high four shots, two of which were on goal. Senior midfielder Jenna Hill added two more shots on goal while freshman midfielder Kaely Schlosser added three shots.

Anagnost rotated 18 players into the game on Friday, which was expected, to continue looking for depth and experience before Mid-American Conference play begins on Sept. 24.

The win was CMU’s first on the road this season. The Chippewas look to extend their road record at 2:05 p.m. Sunday when they play Big Ten Conference opponent Iowa.