Soccer loses to MAC powerhouse WMU
Its biggest rival and best competition handed the Central Michigan University soccer team a second consecutive loss Sunday.
Despite several extremely well executed scoring chances, the Chippewas fell to Western Michigan 1-0 at the CMU Soccer Complex.
The Chippewas have now lost five of their last six matches and stand at 2-8-1 on the season.
WMU’s lone goal came from a bad bounce off of CMU goalkeeper Maddy Bunnell in the 27th minute of the first half.
“The result is absolutely what you don’t want,” said Head coach Peter McGahey. “ I was pleased, however in both terms of energy that they brought and the chances they created.”
The Chippewas pushed in the final half hour of the match with plenty of scoring chances.
Junior midfielder Kaelyn Korte dominated the midfield against WMU.
Tackling anything that came near her and starting numerous tic-tac passes, Korte was the driving force behind CMU’s attack on the Broncos’ net.
“We can’t really hang our heads on this game,” Korte said. “We just have to look forward to get better and try to do better next weekend.”
Forward Senior Jennifer Gassman played 75 minutes with one shot on net. Gassman and fellow senior forward Laura Gosse did everything they could to tie the game.
But Broncos freshman goalkeeper Stephanie Herber kept a clean sheet for her fifth win this season. WMU has not lost a game with Herber in net.
“We passed the ball around well. If we keep that up it’s only going to get better,” said senior forward Emily Cooksey. “If we keep stringing together passes in the attacking third, our chances will come.”
CMU managed just eight shots on WMU’s net.
The Chippewas manufactured one corner kick to the Broncos eight.
But McGahey said despite the loss, CMU’s intensity was a positive sign.
“It sets the tone, the challenge is cooking that game at that temperature more consistently,” he said. “If they played like this on Friday I think the outcome would be different. That fight, that spirit and that Chippewa pride,” McGahey said. “That is what we have to take away from this match.”
