Photo: Sebastien Desiderio


MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. — It wasn’t just a win; it was a statement of survival. Under the Sunday afternoon sun at the CMU Soccer Complex, the Central Michigan women’s soccer team proved they can weather a storm, grinding out a clinical 1-0 shutout against a highly favored Akron Zips squad. For a team looking to find its rhythm in Mid-American Conference (MAC) play, this match was pure, unfiltered resilience.

Capitalizing on Chaos

For the first 30 minutes, it was an absolute tactical chess match. Akron entered Mount Pleasant boasting an impressive 5-2-2 non-conference cushion, looking to bully CMU on our own pitch. But the Chippewas stayed patient, waiting for the Zips to blink first.

That moment came precisely at the 35:01 mark. Seizing on a lazy defensive turnover from the Akron backline, junior forward Lauren Walker intercepted the ball with total predatory instinct. With less than ten minutes before the intermission, she carved her way into the box and slotted an unassisted rocket past Akron goalkeeper Penelope Cuirinier into the back of the net.

"We were so much better, and so much more secure on transition," Central Michigan Athletics head coach Jeremy Groves noted after the match, praising the team's sharper offensive identity.

The Defense Holds the Line

If the first half was about executing on transition, the second half was entirely about defensive lockdown. Akron threw everything they had at the Chippewa lines, out-fouling CMU 7-5 in a physical, chippy affair. CMU’s backline held firm, completely neutralizing the Zips' top offensive threats and limiting Akron to just five total shots all afternoon.

When Akron did manage to sneak a ball through, redshirt senior goalkeeper Allison LaPoint was there to clean up the mess. LaPoint secured her first clean sheet of the 2024 season, a performance that Coach Groves heavily leaned on. "She's a rock for us," Groves said of his veteran keeper, noting how her stability allows the rest of the defensive unit to play with more aggression.

Chipping Away at the MAC

With the 1-0 triumph in the books, the Chippewas finally broke their home-field drought, securing their first victory at the CMU Soccer Complex since late August. More importantly, it keeps CMU unbeaten in early conference action (1-0-1) as they look to climb the fiercely competitive MAC ladder.

Next up, the Chippewas will pack their bags and head out on the road to face Northern Illinois in DeKalb, looking to carry this hard-earned momentum with them.