Soccer team sweeps its weekend road trip

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Last season the Central Michigan women’s soccer team struggled on the road against non-conference opponents.

Over the weekend it took a positive first step in changing that this season by winning their first two road games against Evansville and Indiana State.

CMU (3-0) beat the Indiana State Sycamores 2-0 on Sunday, two days after defeating the Evansville Purple Aces 3-1.

The two wins are already an improvement from last year when it posted a 1-3-1 record on the road before Mid-American Conference play began.

“Every game in a season is important,” head coach Neil Stafford said. “Were moving forward and we got a couple of more wins, maybe a little more confidence as well.”

Sunday’s game in Terre Haute, Ind. was controlled by the Chippewas. They outshot the Sycamores 7-2 in the first half, but the two teams went to halftime scoreless.

Early in the second half sophomore midfielder Ashley Mejilla collected the ball after an Indiana State turnover and put it past the ISU goalkeeper from 20 yards out, scoring her first goal of the season.

CMU didn’t wait long to try and extend the lead as it picked up the pressure in the form of Claire Horton. The Royal Oak senior fired two consecutive shots at the ISU goal, one which was saved by goalkeeper Emily Lahay and another that ricocheted off the crossbar.

Despite the pressure, the score remained just 1-0 until in the 71st minute. Horton’s effort finally produced results when she assisted on freshman Laura Gosse first career goal.

“Were still trying different combinations of players,” Stafford said. “Our goals came from us doing things well and not from our opponents mistakes, so overall, I’m happy with how were playing.”

CMU outshot the Sycamores 15-8 with five of its shots on target and junior goalkeeper Stefanie Turner got the shutout.

Evansville

Friday night CMU beat Evansville 3-1 at Black Beauty field at Arad McCutchan Stadium.

Evansville (0-2-1) jumped out to a quick lead after forward Tasha Prentice took a shot from 36 yards out that sailed over Turner.

The Chippewas quickly responded in the 23rd minute when junior Autumn Hawkins scored her second goal in as many games. Horton lobbed a corner kick into the box and Hawkins headed it in the back of the net to tie the game at one.

CMU quickly took the lead in the second half when sophomore Estee Outcalt fired a shot past UE’s goalkeeper from 18 yards out giving Outcalt’s the first of her career.

Seven minutes later, freshman Emily Cooksey also scored her first collegiate goal which gave the Chippewas a two goal cushion.

“The moment I saw Cooksey down in Florida, I knew she was going to be a quality player,” said head coach Neil Stafford. “For her first college goal, it was magnificent. You don’t expect that kind of composure out of a freshman sometimes.”

Redshirt freshman Grace Labrecque entered the game in the 68th minute for her season debut and wasted no time in showing her ability.

Evansville made a bid to reduce the deficit to one, but Labrecque made a terrific diving save with six minutes remaining as the Chippewas held off the Purple Aces for a 3-1 victory.

“She played fantastic,” Stafford said. “We are incredibly blessed to have two young women who I think can do a fantastic job for us.”

Once again, the Chippewas heavily outshot their opponent 13-7 and also held an 8-1 advantage in corner kicks.

“I saw a lot of things that can still be improved upon,” Stafford said. “But I am happy we had a very solid performance tonight and we got a good result on top of that.”

CMU will be on the road again next weekend to face the University of Kentucky and Louisville.