KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- The Western Michigan women's soccer team heads to Mt. Pleasant on Sunday afternoon to square off with rival Central Michigan. The two teams sit tied atop the conference with 2-0-1 MAC records. The game is set to begin at 1 PM at the CMU Soccer Complex.
LAST TIME OUT
Western Michigan picked up its second MAC win of the season, taking care of Buffalo, 1-0, on Thursday afternoon at the WMU Soccer Complex.
Ava Beckett provided the game-winning goal in the first half. The tally was the first of her career.
Lauren Boafo's clean sheet was her third of the season and second in as many games.
STEPPING UP ON DEFENSE
Since a 3-0 loss to Creighton in late August, Western Michigan has been dominant on defense, allowing three goals over its last six games, including just one in three MAC games.
In that six-game stretch, WMU has allowed just 50 total shots and 23 on goal. Thanks to that strong defense, the Broncos have three clean sheets in that same time frame.
A big piece of the puzzle has been the play of
Abby Baldridge,
Ava Beckett,
Brielle Gomez and
Heidi Thomasma. Not only have they limited opposing teams, but they've helped provide a spark for the WMU offense as well.
The quartet has combined for one goal and four assists in 10 games this season, including the game-winning goal against Buffalo on Thursday afternoon.
CLOSING IN ON 100
WMU head coach
Lewis Robinson is nearing his 100th career win in the college ranks. He sits at 98 entering Sunday's match.
He tallied 76 wins at Aquinas before taking over at WMU. With the Broncos, he has 22 victories, including 15 in MAC play.
SCOUTING THE CHIPPEWAS
Central Michigan enters Sunday's match in a tie with WMU for the top spot in the conference. The Chippewas are on a two-game win streak and haven't allowed a goal in that stretch.
The all-time series is tied 16-16, including a 7-7 record in Mount Pleasant. Furthermore, over the last 10 matchups, the two teams each have five victories.
CMU has been pretty balanced offensively, having nine different players with at least one goal. Claudia Muessig leads the way with three in 10 games. Lauren Walker, Rachel Jackson and Jocelin Zimmerer each have two of their own.
In net, Allison LaPoint has been stellar. She leads the conference in total saves with 63 in 10 games. On the season, she is 4-4-2 with a 1.31 goals against average and .829 save percentage.
