Pelafas named MAC Offensive Player of the Week
Sophomore forward Alexis Pelafas tracks the ball during the game against Ohio on Oct. 16 at the Soccer / Lacrosse Complex.
After being suspended for the first game of the weekend on Friday, a two-goal performance against Ohio on Sunday was good enough to earn sophomore forward Alexis Pelafas the Mid-American Conference's Offensive Player of the Week Award.
Pelafas tied Central Michigan's all-time regular season scoring record with her first goal in Sunday's match against Ohio. She then broke the record with a goal in double overtime to win the game for the Chippewas. The goal was her seventh game-winning goal of the season, which leads the MAC.
"It's a well deserved recognition for her and the team in terms of what she has able to accomplish this season and this past week," said head coach Peter McGahey. "Breaking the goals scoring record (at CMU) is not easy and I appreciate the fact coaches in the MAC have recognized her performance."
She not only leads the MAC, but the entire country in goals scored with 15 this season. To go along with those accolades, she is two points away from breaking the single season points record at CMU. The MAC all-time record for points in a single season was set by Allison Wade in 1997 with 45 points. Wade also has the most goals scored in one season in the MAC with 19, also set in 1997.
Junior forward Samantha Maher was a nominee for MAC Defensive Player of the Week after blocking "long-distance shots" in the 2-1 victory against Ohio. She was also recognized for setting up and assisting Pelafas' game-winning goal. It was Maher's third assist on the season.
Soccer ends home schedule with historic game-winning goal on Sunday, tie on Friday
The Central Michigan soccer team ended its home schedule over the weekend by grinding out a 1-1 tie in overtime against Kent State on Friday, and overcoming a late goal by Ohio to beat the Bobcats 2-1 in overtime Sunday.
Sophomore striker Alexis Pelafas scored her 15th goal of the season to beat Ohio, break CMU's regular season scoring record and become the nation's leading scorer.
