Early goal paces EMU past Chippewas
Greg BurghardtA first half goal by Eastern Michigan’s Abi Morrell was all the Eagles needed to end CMU’s three-game winning streak Sunday.
The loss, coupled with a 1-0 overtime win against Illinois State Friday, brought the soccer team’s record to 5-4-2 overall and 3-3-1 in the MAC.
Morrell’s goal came with five minutes left in the half on a free kick that went over goalkeeper Anne Decker’s head. The Eagles controlled play throughout the first half and withstood CMU’s second-half pressure.
“When you lose to a team that you know you are better than, it’s not easy to take,” said coach Mark Salisbury. “We did it to ourselves and they (CMU players) got nobody to look at but the mirror.”
Central played tentative in the first half, generating little scoring opportunities while the Eagles controlled the play.
“We get ourselves in a hole in the first half and the last 45 minutes were all we had left,” said freshman Amber Delvecchio.
The team came out stronger in the second half and almost tied the game when Rachel Snyder’s shot hit the goal post. But it was the first half performance that already lost CMU the game, Salisbury said.
“There is no excuses for it,” Salisbury said. “We dug our own hole and played a little bit harder in the second half, but we are doing that way too often.”
Although the Chippewas outshot EMU 13-7, they had few quality scoring chances. Eastern goalkeeper Nikki Allen got her third win of the season, making nine saves.
Salisbury said there isn’t a lot of time left in the season and the life lessons they learn must be demonstrated as well.
The team has to go back to basics to be successful, Delvecchio said.
“Now we are going to have to work harder. We are on a roller coaster again. We can’t win all the time and we are not giving up yet,” Delvecchio said.
Central improved to 3-0-2 in overtime games this season with its 1-0 win against ISU Friday.
Sophomore Stacy Downing scored the game-winner on a penalty kick, her fourth goal of the season. Katie Dolata was taken down in the box on a breakaway .
“We played hard, but in the first half we had a period where we weren’t that good and we were fortunate enough to not give up a goal,” Salisbury said.
Decker earned her third shutout of the season, making four saves. She is one shutout away from tying the CMU season record set by senior teammate Kari Alexander.
CMU hosts Ohio and Marshall this weekend.
