TOLEDO, Ohio -- The Western Michigan women's soccer season came to an end as the Broncos fell to Central Michigan, 3-1, in the Mid-American Conference Tournament Final at Toledo's Scott Park Soccer Complex on Sunday afternoon.
Central Michigan netted two goals late in the first half to put the Broncos away. Laura Twidle headed in CMU's first goal off a cross by Chelsi Abbot in the 37th minute. CMU extended its lead 2-0 after Charlize McLemore knocked in a loose ball inside the box. WMU goalkeeper Julia Francy extended herself to try to make the save but it was ruled the bar went over the line before she got a hand on it to clear it out.
Western Michigan cut the lead to 2-1 on a goal by Nicole Dulyea with just under 23 minutes remaining in the second half. Caitlin Henderson sent a ball into the box off of a free kick from midfield. A CMU defender tried to clear it but the ball landed at the feet of Brittney Pavlica. Pavlica flicked the ball to Dulyea, who burried it low into the left corner for her third goal of the year.
With 14 minutes remaining Allison Szczypka had a chance at the top of the 18-yard box but her shot went off the left post and back into play. It was the best chance for the Broncos in the final minute but they were unable to convert.
Central Michigan added its third goal with 1:58 left in the second half. The Broncos were up for a free kick and got caught on the counter-attack, creating a breakaway for CMU's Ashley Mejilla. Mejilla settled the ball and beat Francy at the far left post.
The Chippewas had advantage on possession for most of the first half but the Broncos took their chances during the counter attack. In the eighth minute WMU sent the ball in the box on a free kick. Stephanie Skowneski had a shot blocked but she corralled the rebound and sent it in the middle. It bounced off of several players before finally being cleared. Western Michigan nearly had another chance near the 17th minute mark when Anina Cicerone, Pavlica and Ali Bagley got through on the counter attack. Cicerone passed it into the middle for Pavlica but she was unable to control the ball. Skowneski later had an attempt in the 28th minute off of a throw in but her left-footed shot sailed high of the crossbar.
Cicerone, Francy and Dulyea were all named to the MAC All-Tournament team. Cicerone netted the deciding goal in their semifinal win over Toledo, while Francy was instrumental in the 4-2 penalty kick decision win over Eastern Michigan in the first round. Dulyea tallied a PK goal in the 4-2 win over EMU as well as the Broncos' lone goal in the championship game.
