Soccer to looks to stay perfect in MAC against WMU, NIU
Head coach Tom Anagnost and his staff had one message for the CMU women’s soccer team as it wrapped up practice Thursday in preparation for its game today against rival Western Michigan.
“It’s not just another game.”
The Chippewas (9-3-1) return home to the CMU Soccer Complex for the first time in almost three weeks to play the Broncos at 4 p.m. today.
CMU is 6-0 in the Mid-American Conference for the second straight season and faces a WMU team that is unbeaten in its last three games.
Sophomore defender Liesel Toth had two goals and an assist in last week’s road victories against Buffalo and Kent State, and was named MAC offensive player of the week.
“I was definitely surprised because you don’t often hear of a defensive player getting offensive recognition,” she said. “It made me feel like I had more of a role than stopping goals. I can have a role of scoring goals.”
Toth has started every game this season and played the most minutes on the team. She said the team has become more confident during its six-game winning streak.
“We’re finishing a lot more of our opportunities,” she said. “As a whole, we’re more confident.”
Scoring surge
The Chippewas have had a scoring surge lately courtesy of several set pieces. Toth scored and assisted in the win against Kent State off set pieces and said they are something the team has been working hard on.
“Everyday we work on it,” she said. “It all comes from practicing and we’ve been doing better on them so I think it’s paid off.”
CMU was 0-3-1 in its last four games leading up to MAC play, but head coach Tom Anagnost said his team is becoming more mature as the season progresses.
“They’re a little more comfortable and confident, especially the younger players,” he said. “Time was necessary for the gelling and the increase in confidence and the level of their play.”
Anagnost said Toth is one of the biggest reasons the team has won six in a row.
“She’s one of the best players on the team. She can play anywhere,” he said. “I wish we had more like her. She can do anything.”
Anagnost said WMU is one of the best teams in the MAC and has drastically improved from last season when it finished 6-8-5 and lost to CMU in the MAC tournament.
Toth said playing against WMU is always tough, no matter what the team’s records are.
“It’s going to be a battle for sure. Western always brings it to us,” she said. “It’s going to help being at home, but we’re going to have to play our best. If we do what we’re supposed to we’re going to come out on top.”
After playing the Broncos, CMU plays Northern Illinois (7-5-1 overall, 3-1-2 MAC) at 1 p.m. Sunday, which will be senior day. Seniors Valerie Prause, Jenna Hill, and Shay Mannino will all be honored before kickoff for their careers.
