This weekend marks the beginning of the end for non-conference matchups, and while the true test is between these teams, securing a win is essential to get some extra wiggle room or hope to move up in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) standings.
Central Michigan blues continue.
After five games, Central Michigan is still looking for its first win and goal of the season as it fell to South Dakota 1-0, concluding their three-match non-conference road trip. Even with Central Michigan applying pressure on South Dakota, a header made byMorgan Sullivan in the first five minutes would determine the
Ball State and Butler: In-state draw
The Ball State Cardinals, leading by two through 78 minutes of the match, would end in a draw after Butler erased the two-goal deficit in 89 seconds with 10 minutes left in the game. Both goals were scored by Addie Chester, who was one of the 10 honored before the game for their Senior Day festivities.
Despite this draw, the Cardinals are now fifth in the standings, jumping up three spots from last week.
Western Michigan is putting on the pressure
Western Michigan is now on a three-game winning streak after winning 4-1 and extending its record against the Detroit Mercy Titans to 7-5-1. The go-ahead goal was scored just two minutes into the match by Abby Werthman, who quickly put on one more in the fifth minute.
Detroit Mercy would score their lone goal in the 81st minute with Emma Henry’s first career goal for the Titans, but Heidi Thomasma would score the game-winning goal for Western Michigan in the 77th minute, marking her first goal of the season.
Around the MAC: Lightning recaps
Kent State ends its last non-conference game with a draw against Oakland University, going 1-1. With this draw, the Kent State Golden Flashes are now in seventh place in the standings with a 2-2-3 overall record (1-1 at home, 1-1-3 away).
The Ohio University Bobcats fall to the Indiana Hoosiers 1-0 in their final nonconference game in Bloomington, Indiana. The Hossiers would outshoot the Bobcats, going 23-12 with nine shots on goal, as the Bobcats got five shots on goal. The Bobcats attempted back-to-back shots on goal, but it was to no avail, with Graduate goalkeeper, Sally Rainey, recording five saves on nine shots made by the Bobcats.
Eastern Michigan held DePaul to one point before a 67th-minute penalty kick. “We did what we needed to do to get a result, and I believe we deserved the win with the penalty kick. Now we’ll regroup and get ready for a good Western Michigan team next week to close out our non-conference slate,” said DePaul’s head coach, Michele O’Brien. Eastern Michigan is now fifth in the MAC standings after dropping to DePaul.
Bowling Green is still sitting pretty at the top with a 5-1-1 record after defeating Duquesne 1-0. This record is the second-best start in program history (MAC Athletics), Second only to their 6-1-0 record in 2021, which led them to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Championships. The game-winning goal would be scored by Junior Emma Stransky, who now leads the team in goals with three (Bowling Green Athletics).
Wednesday, Sept. 10, 4:00 p.m.: Ball State at Purdue Fort Wayne
If the Ball State Cardinals had the opportunity to come back, it would be in this match. Purdue Fort Wayne is coming off their 0-2 loss against Eastern Illinois, after getting their first win of the season against Indiana Tech in a 6-0 victory. Fort Wayne knows high-goal-scoring games, losing, and now winning both.
Thursday, Sept. 11th, 4:00 p.m.: Central Michigan at Wright State
Central Michigan needs to break its season-long losing streak, and Wright State is 0-2 on the road. The Central Michigan Chippewas will have home-field advantage, so if they can apply the pressure, they just might be able to pull it off and be in the win column for the first time this season. Bring the blues to a halt.
Thursday, Sept. 11, 4:30 p.m.: Eastern Michigan vs Loyola Chicago
The 4-1-1 Loyola Chicago will be a test for a 2-3 Eastern Michigan team. Loyola Chicago is currently undefeated on the road, going 3-0, while Eastern Michigan is 1-2 with home-field advantage. Eastern Michigan will have to bring the power to pull through.
Thursday, Sept. 11, 7:00 p.m.: Buffalo vs Mercyhurst
The 3-1-1 Buffalo Bulls are facing off against a 0-6-1 Mercyhurst. Much like the Chippewas, Mercyhurst is looking for its first win of the season, and Buffalo will be a task for Mercyhurst as the Bulls stand in third place in the MAC standings with home-field advantage.
Friday, Sept. 12, 7:00 p.m.: Akron at Dayton
The Dayton Flyers are 10th in the Atlantic 10 standings, going 2-3-2, while Akron is second in the MAC with a record of 3-1-1. This match may be a test for the Flyers to see if they can get over the hump after losing two and drawing one in their last three games, while Akron is on a hot streak, winning two of their last three games.
Saturday, Sept. 13, 2:00 p.m.: Western Michigan vs Detroit Mercy
Western Michigan is looking to extend its winning streak to four games against a DePaul team that’s coming off a win against a fellow MAC team in Eastern Michigan. DePaul is 1-1 against MAC teams this season, losing against Northern Illinois.
