Thursday’s MAC Women’s Soccer Results
Western Michigan 2, Northern Illinois 1
Eastern Michigan 1, Central Michigan 0
Miami 2, Ohio 1
 
Stories courtesy of MAC Sports Information Departments
 
Western Michigan 2, Northern Illinois 1
Box Score
 
KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Western Michigan women's soccer team snapped a four-game winless streak with a 2-1 victory over Northern Illinois at the WMU Soccer Complex on Thursday afternoon.
 
Senior midfielder Bailey Korhorn scored both of WMU's goals, while junior forward Morgan Otteson set up both, earning two assists. Senior goalkeeper Hannah Sargent made five saves to pick up her third win of the season.
 
"Today was a great team win against a good NIU team," said head coach Sammy Boateng. "We've had slow starts to games this season and this week we challenged our group to change that. We started the first 20 minutes extremely well. We were able to possess and play out of the back, but also able to attack with numbers in NIU's half. I'm really proud of the whole group today. Everyone from the players on the field and players off the field brought a lot of energy and it made a huge difference."
 
Korhorn netted her first goal to give the Broncos a 1-0 lead in the eighth minute. Otteson blew by a Northern Illinois defender down the right flank and crossed the ball into the box. Korhorn was positioned at the far post and headed it into the net for her second goal of the season.
 
WMU carried a 1-0 lead into the half and extended it to 2-0 in the 55th minute. Otteson once again crossed the ball from the right flank. Korhorn was posted up in the box and settled the ball before turning and firing it into the net.
 
"Morgan had a great game out wide," Boateng said. "She connected really well with Bailey. Bailey had a breakout game with her movement off the ball to get in dangerous areas. She was composed in front of goal and finished off both goals in style."
 
NIU cut the lead in half in the 70th minute. The Huskies had a corner kick and the ball ping-ponged around in the box before finally falling to Kierah Meier. Meier placed a shot off the left post and into the net for her second goal of the season.
 
WMU was able to withstand the desperate attack by Northern Illinois in the final minutes.
 
Western Michigan is back at home on Sunday at 4 p.m. against Ball State for "Senior Day."
 
 
Eastern Michigan 1, Central Michigan 0
Box Score
 
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – Playing in 37-degree weather like its last trip to Mount Pleasant in 2019, the Eastern Michigan University soccer departed in similar victorious fashion, taking down Central Michigan University, 1-0, today, April 1.

Entering the match tied for second place in the Mid-American Conference West Division, the Eagles have separated themselves into sole possession of the two-spot with a 5-2 record, while the Chippewas drop to 4-3. The win also completed Eastern's season sweep of Central, having previously bested the Chips to open the season, 2-1, March 4.

Senior goalkeeper Chelsea Abbotts (Ottawa, Ontario-Mother Teresa) recorded a season-high eight saves on the way to her second clean sheet of the season, previously blanking Northern Illinois, March 14.

Although the Chips seemed to dominate possession in the first half, and outshot the Eagles, 11-5, it was Eastern that was able to breakthrough first.

In the 38th minute, senior Marla Cobetto (Trenton, Mich.-Trenton) made her way into the box and was fouled in the process of trying to get her shot off. Awarded a penalty kick, sophomore Amanda Cripps (Bradford, Ontario-Trinity Catholic) stepped up to the hash and buried it in the back of the net for the permanent 1-0 Green and White lead.

With the goal, Cripps clinched her 21st career point, becoming the third active player on the Eagles' roster to have at least 20 (Sabrina McNeill - 63, Lindsey Shira – 25). The score also marked the sophomore's 10th career goal as an Eagle.

Coming out of the break with the 1-0 lead, the Eagles went on the offensive in the first five minutes, with Cripps and redshirt senior Sabrina McNeill (Whitby, Ontario-Henry Street) firing off shots. However, the Chippewas were able to combat the chances and keep the game within one.

Although controlling possession for most of the second half, the Eagles did not see many more chances, as the road team ended with a season-low eight total shots, compared to the home side's 20. Despite the lack of opportunities for EMU, Abbotts and the Eagles' defense stayed impeccable, holding off the Chippewas to seal the win, 1-0.

Eastern Michigan returns home for the final time of the 2021 regular season, hosting Northern Illinois for Senior Day, April 4. The match is set to begin at 4 p.m.


Miami 2, Ohio 1
Box Score
 
OXFORD, Ohio –  The Miami University soccer team downed the Ohio Bobcats, 2-1, on Thursday afternoon at Bobby Kramig Field. The victory gives Miami a sweep of the Bobcats after capturing a 1-0 win earlier in the year at OU.
 
Miami is now 4-3 overall and in the MAC this season while the Bobcats fall to 2-5.

Kristina DeMarco scored just 89 seconds into the contest to give the Red and White an early 1-0 lead.

Ohio knotted the score, 1-1, with 10 minutes left in the first half.

Desiree Grubbs took a pass from Soph Spinell to find the back of the net at the 54-minute mark of the contest to give Miami a 2-1 advantage. Prior to the start of Thursday's contest, Miami celebrated Senior Day by honoring Spinell, the lone senior on the squad.

Izzie Vaccari did the rest, recording four saves in the win.

Miami returns to action on Sunday, April 11 when it hosts Akron at 1 p.m.