Chippewas look to extend home unbeaten streak against EMU
Head coach Tom Anagnost hopes his CMU women’s soccer team can come out more aggressively as it looks to stay perfect at home Thursday against Eastern Michigan.
The match, scheduled for 3 p.m. at the CMU Soccer Complex, is the team’s last game of the regular season and another opportunity to extend its home unbeaten streak.
The Eagles visit the CMU Soccer Complex sporting a 9-6-4 overall record and 6-1-3 record in the Mid-American Conference. They suffered their first conference loss Sunday against Toledo, which also handed the Chippewas their first MAC defeat on Friday.
“It’s another opportunity for our kids to get better,” Anagnost said. “We’re playing a very good team. Hopefully we can show in the game what we’ve been doing in training.”
CMU has only allowed one goal in its last four games, keeping the ball on the offensive end the majority of the time. But while it has lead to increased scoring opportunities — they team has outshot their opponents 90-24 — they only scored six goals.
Anagnost said his team had a good week in practice and hopes it comes out aggressively against EMU.
EMU features senior goalkeeper Monique Budani, who led the nation in saves prior to the Toledo game. She comes into tomorrow’s game with 140 saves, 93 more than the combined efforts of CMU goalkeepers senior Shay Mannino and sophomore Stefanie Turner.
Long stepping up
The last three games, CMU freshman midfielder Tammy Long’s playing time has drastically increased. Coming into the game against Northern Illinois on Oct. 17, Long averaged just over 16 minutes per game. In the last three, she has averaged over 74 minutes per contest.
“She’s as tough as they come. She’s quick, fast and strong,” Anagnost said. “Since she’s been in the rotation, she’s been one of the best players on the team. I’m proud of her growth and development.”
Said Long: “I went on the field and tried my best and showed a lot. I’m doing whatever I can on the field to make my team win and ensure we will win.” Long hasn’t recorded a point this season, but fired six shots and helped control midfield.
Going into the regular season finale, Anagnost said he is still looking for a couple more players to make plays and calm the team down in front of the opponent’s goal.
“(We’re looking for) another attacking presence to emerge,” he said. “We’ve been working on that in practice and the young players have gotten better. We still have time for that to happen.”
CMU has locked up the No. 3 seed in the MAC tournament and will host a first round home game on Sunday against either Western Michigan or Northern Illinois. The two play Thursday in Kalamazoo.
