CMU soccer struggles in conference opener, falling to Buffalo
Central Michigan University junior forward Ella Betzold puts her hands over her head against Buffalo at the Soccer/Lacrosse complex on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026. (CM-Life | Trevor Sparks)
A ball went through the Buffalo Bulls defense. Senior forward Ella Betzold corralled the ball with her feet, dribbled past the goalkeeper and prepared to shoot. The ball boomed off her foot towards the net.
However, it was the netting on the side of the goal. That was one of Central Michigan soccer's only chances at a goal in a low-scoring 1-0 loss at home in its conference opener.
CMU soccer falls to 2-5-1 on the season.
"I think we have a lot of positives to take away from the game," senior defender Rachel Jackson said. "We're playing against a really good team and we're holding our own for most of the game."
Despite recording nine shots, only two were on goal.
"When you're on top and when you get chances, you have to take them," he said. "We didn't today, which is why we came away with a 1-0 loss."
Although the finishing was a problem for the Chippewas, Decosemo said there is a bright side to the situation.
"The good news is that the big picture looks pretty good, so we do get to focus on those details," he said. "It comes down to moments and quality of players and sometimes they go in."
The defense held strong for 70 minutes until Buffalo junior midfielder Mae Hunt broke the stalemate.
" I think it's just a moment of chaos that we don't handle very well," Decosemo said. " I think we're probably a little bit reactive, we're not organized, and then we need to be more physical."
Despite the one goal, the defense stood tall against the Buffalo attack for a majority of the game.
Freshman defender Claire Bergsma played the full 90 minutes. She said the team pressed well and was aggressive towards the end of the game.
"I think towards the end we were really just got in their half and had a lot more opportunities," Bergsma said. " Right away we were just on them and going."
Decosemo said both players on the wing, Rachel Jackson and sophomore Kylee Weed were key contributors in the game.
"In both ends of the boxes offensively, defensively, just clean up a little few things because at the end of the day, that's what wins games," Jackson said.
Despite the poor start to the Mid-American Conference schedule, Jackson said she feels the team's goals are still the same.
"I think we still have to have the same belief and keep moving ahead and forward and take each game, learn lessons from each game," Jackson said. "I think we can only go up from here."
More than just the players were optimistic after the loss. Decosemo saw the silver lining from his conference debut as a head coach.
"I think it's still much more competitive than it had been in the past," he said. "Buffalo have been a notoriously very good team in this conference, and we went toe-to-toe with them."
The Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe also attended and played music during the pregame.
The Chippewas will head to the south side of the state to visit the Eastern Michigan University Eagles on Sunday, September 20 at 1 p.m.
