EMU women lose to Central Michigan

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University women's soccer team dropped its regular season finale to Central Michigan University, 3-0, in Mid-American Conference West Division action at the CMU Soccer Complex Thursday, Oct. 28.

The Eagles – who already clinched the No. 4 seed in the 2010 MAC Tournament prior to today's match – fall to 9-7-4 overall, 6-2-3 in MAC play. The Chippewas move to 13-4-1 (10-1 MAC) and will look to repeat as MAC Tournament champions as the third seed this year.

It was nothing more than a mere tune-up in anticipation of the Eagles' first MAC Tournament match, which they will host this Sunday, Oct. 31. EMU was outshot by the Chippewas 18-7 in the match while putting just three shots on goal.

CMU cracked the scoreboard early with a 10th minute goal by Chelsi Abbott, a header for her second score of the season to give the Chippewas a 1-0 lead into halftime. Out of the intermission, Nicole Samuel scored her fourth goal of the season with another header in the 60th minute. The final CMU tally came in the 85th minute when Jennifer Gassman broke free for her third goal of the season.

EMU seniors Stephanie Janssens (Novi, Mich.-Novi) and Paige Sheridan (Farmington Hills, Mich.-Mercy) each registered three shots in the match, but couldn't get one past the goalkeeping tandem of Shay Mannino and Stefanie Turner who combined for the team's 12th shutout of the season.

Freshman goalkeeper Rachel Rye (Dearborn, Mich.-Edsel Ford) made her first career start for EMU, making eight saves in the losing effort.

The Eagles will be back in action this Sunday, Oct. 31, when they host the fifth-seeded Western Michigan Broncos in a MAC Tournament Quarterfinal at Scicluna Field. The previous two meetings between both squads have each resulted in double-overtime draws including a 1-1 decision in Ypsilanti this season back on Oct. 17.

The Eagles and Broncos are slated to kick things off at 1 p.m.