Central Michigan Life

Issue date: 10/22/07 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Jeffrey LaMonde Sophomore forward Stephanie Martin runs past a defender Sunday in CMU's 1-0 loss to Buffalo at the CMU Soccer Complex. Martin scored Saturday in Central's 2-1 win against Kent State. [Click to enlarge]

The soccer team split a pair of games against Mid-American Conference teams to close out the home portion of its schedule.

CMU lost Sunday, 1-0, against Buffalo after beating Kent State 2-1 on Friday in double-overtime.

Coach Tony DiTucci was visibly dissatisfied after Sunday's surprising loss to the 11th-place Bulls.

"It's a huge disappointment," DiTucci said. "It's a frustrating way to end our season at home on a day when we needed to get a result."

Central outshot Buffalo 19-10 and had a number of quality chances to score.

Senior Ashley Turner had a cross to freshman Kristen Bailey, who scored the Bulls' first goal against sophomore goalkeeper Kristen Hubright in the 65th minute.

CMU co-captain and senior defender Erin Douglas said the goal wasn't a result of a defensive breakdown.

"We played good for the balls that got played to us," Douglas said.

One quality chance for CMU came in the 68th minute when sophomore forward Stephanie Martin fired a shot through the defense, but right at Buffalo's prepared goalkeeper.

CMU was unable to get the ball under control in its offensive zone during the game's final minutes as its scoring chances were limited.

Central outlasted Kent State 2-1 in rain-soaked match Friday.

DiTucci exuded pride following the team's come-from-behind victory.

"It's a really emotional victory," he said. "Coming from being down at first, every single player did something specific (to help us win)."

Sophomore forward Amanda Waugh played the ball across the field to freshman midfielder Jaime Voelz to set up the winning goal in the second overtime at the 108-minute mark.

Voelz passed to Martin, who already made her way behind the defense before the charging goalkeeper rushed out to intercept it. Martin played the ball off her left foot and fired it into the net.

"I saw Jaime get the ball and I made eye contact," Martin said. "I said 'please.' It was an unbelievable ball she played. Then it was pretty easy hitting something that wide open."

Kent State took a 1-0 lead early in the second half before CMU rallied.

"We battled," DiTucci said. "I'm really proud of the way we got better."

Central tied the game in the 77th minute when junior midfielder Sarah Burns fired a shot from the right, but the ball was blocked and deflected by the goalkeeper. A charging Waugh came up and poked it in for a goal.

"As we went on, we got better," Martin said. "We were going in and attacking instead of sitting back."


sports@cm-life.com

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