KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Senior midfielder
Bailey Korhorn and junior forward
Morgan Otteson scored two goals in the final 25 minutes to erase a 1-0 deficit as the Western Michigan women's soccer team defeated Central Michigan, 2-1, at the WMU Soccer Complex on Thursday afternoon.
After a scoreless first half CMU went ahead on a goal by Jaelyn Dobrowolski in the 69th minute, scoring during a scramble in front of the WMU net.
The lead didn't last long as Korhorn scored her fourth goal of the season in the 74th minute to tie it up at 1-1. The Broncos had a corner kick and
Jenna Blackburn crossed it in to the near post and Korhorn worked her way through the crowd and headed it into the net. Blackburn tied Otteson for the team lead in assists on the goal after picking up her fourth of the season.
Otteson netted the game-winner in the 82nd minute. Korhorn played her the ball while she was at the top of the box. The Grand Rapids, Mich., native went past a CMU defender and slotted the ball into the lower-right corner of the net for her first goal of the season.
"Today was a gutsy game for our program," said head coach
Sammy Boateng. "CMU is a good team that knows what they want to do and they find ways to get it done. We were able to compose ourselves in critical moments and execute at a high level."
WMU was outshot 9-0 in the first half but flipped the stat in the second half, outshooting the Chippewas 8-4.
Hannah Sargent made four saves in the win.
"Our back line did a great job of shifting and passing runners on," added Boateng. "Our midfielders were in the right positions at the right time in order to win and collect second balls. I thought our forwards did a phenomenal job of pressing and forcing mistakes."
Western Michigan heads to Toledo on Sunday for a 1 p.m. kickoff. The Broncos need to win to stay alive in the hunt for the MAC West Division Title and a trip to the MAC Championship game.
