While other teams are all tied up at sixth and seventh, the rest of the Mid-American Conference (MAC) standings have been shaken up yet again, with Eastern Michigan and Western Michigan switching places, with Bowling Green and Ohio University tied for third.
Buffalo dominates Miami at home:
The Buffalo Bulls were making a statement against Miami on Thursday. Junior midfielder Laiken Kiser’s almost hat trick is how Buffalo came out with a dominant win like this one. This win marks Kiser’s second multi-goal game this season, with the Bulls now recording three or more goals in three games. Buffalo secured their game-winner on a penalty shot from fellow junior midfielder Ashley Reyes.
But Miami wasn’t down for the count, almost coming back in the second half with two goals and senior forward Rachel Noonan securing her career high shot total in a game with two shots.
Tied up Toledo:
Despite having a goal waved off due to a handball, Eastern Michigan secured first place in the MAC standings after a 1-0 victory against Toledo in the second half. This win marks Eastern Michigan’s first 2-0 start against MAC opponents since 2014 and Toledo’s first shutout of the season.
After this loss, Toledo now sits tied at seventh along with the University of Massachusetts (UMass), Akron, and Northern Illinois.
“Really tough. This is the first game we’ve been shut out, so that’s frustrating…” Said Toledo head coach Mark Batman. “We’ll reset and get back to it next week.”
Eastern Michigan will continue its road trip, traveling down south to Miami University, hoping to secure a win and go 3-0 against the MAC for the first time since 2013. While Toledo wants to bounce back against their next MAC opponent, Central Michigan, who are coming off their first goal and draw of the season.
Akron and Ohio draw:
Although Ohio University would outshoot Akron 15-9, this MAC matchup would end in an even 1-1 draw, leaving Akron in seventh in the MAC standings. This game marks the first road result for this matchup since Oct. 4, 2018 (which would end in a 0-0 draw).
Next week, Ohio University (currently fourth in the MAC) will go on the road to face a second-place Western Michigan. As Akron goes back home to face Northern Illinois, who are also coming off a draw against Toledo from last Thursday (Sept. 18).
Golden Flashes light it up:
Kent State finishes up its five-game road trip, winning 1-0 against Ball State in a dominant fashion. Kent State outshot Ball State 11-7, including shots on goal (7-2). With this win, junior goalkeeper Leah Shaffer got her first conference win as a starter for the Kent State Golden Flashes.
Despite this win, the Golden Flashes are tied in sixth along with UMass and Miami. While Ball State sits just above Kent at fifth.
Next week, Kent State will start its six-game homestand against UMass, which got its first conference win in program history against Akron last Thursday (Sept. 18). While Ball State will be facing off against a confident Buffalo on the road.
