Chippewas lose in rainy 1

Chippewas lose in rainy 1-0 loss to Akron

A pass was misplaced in the attacking third for Central Michigan senior midfielder Melaina Troy. With Akron on the attack, Troy chased the Zip’s players across the entire field and eventually forced a corner kick.

“It’s exhausting for sure, but it’s just all about the girls, this team,” Troy said. “I’m not doing it for myself.”

Despite the effort, the Central Michigan University women’s soccer team lost 1-0 to the Akron Zips at the CMU Soccer Complex.

CMU Head Coach James Decosemo said this was the most disappointing result of the season.

“I think arguably our best performance of the season,” Decosemo said. “Well, that’s what soccer is. It happens.”

The Chippewas shot the ball 13 times, six of which were on goal, yet Akron scored with just six total shots.

“Probably the difference between the two teams is that they have a spirit because things are going well and we’re struggling to find that, and we probably need a little bit of luck,” Decosemo said. “One of those goals to go in today and maybe that’s something they can grow.”

Alongside the result, the game was played in the midst of a dark, rainy night. However, Decosemo said the overcast weather benefitted the Chippewas more.

“They’re a little bit more of a soccer team than we are, and this just led to more mistakes and harder to play soccer,” he said. “Ultimately that’s what cost us the goal.”

Even in the loss, two players stood out with composure with Decosemo citing Ella Betzold as one of the teams top contributors.

“One of the best individual performances I’ve seen this year in this conference,” he said. “I think they changed three times to try and stop her [Betzold].”

Troy also displayed composure and strong dribbling, with most of her touches staying with the Chippewas.

“I know games like this where it’s high intensity, you can kind of get lost in it, but I trust these girls around me and I think that helps me,” Troy said. “I know they’re going to help get behind the ball, put pressure on it if we do lose it and I just trust these girls.”

The Chippewas have four more games until the end of regular season, with Western Michigan next up, at home on Sunday.

Decosemo, a former Western Michigan soccer assistant, said that he hopes to use the football team’s matchup on Saturday to fuel the fire.

“They’re chasing another title and as much as I loved being there, I want to be the one that stops them getting it,” he said.