This week brings the last games for some of the Mid-American Conference (MAC) teams fighting for a spot in the MAC Tournament, and this was very apparent with the number of last-minute victories and rallies.
Western Michigan are your 2025 regular season MAC Champs
Senior Day turned out to be a little sweeter for the Broncos as Western Michigan clinched the MAC regular season championship after winning 3-1 against the Central Michigan Chippewas. This win makes Western Michigan the first team in MAC history to win the regular season championship three seasons in a row, and the Broncos secured a bye week in the MAC Tournament just around the corner.
After this win, the 9-1-1 Broncos will be back on the one last time as they take on an equally skilled 12-3-2 Buffalo on Wednesday, Oct. 29, at 3 p.m.
The Chippewas will be right back at home for their final game of the regular season as they take on the 6-7-4 Eastern Michigan on Wednesday, Oct. 29, at 3 p.m.
Buffalo’s last-minute victory
Last-minute theatrics would be the deciding factor in this matchup between a 12-3-2 Buffalo and a 4-7-6 Toledo. Buffalo would make a 1-0 advantage into a 3-1 victory in the final five minutes of play, with freshman Maddy Murphy and sophomore Carolyn Hinkle (with the game-winner) scoring their first goals of the season.
“This team keeps finding a way,” said Buffalo head coach Shawn Burke. “Even when we lost control in the second half, they found a way. What I like most about our team is that individuals are stepping up when it hasn’t always been their number. Good team win today.”
“This definitely did not feel like a 3-1 game. We were all over them in the second half,” said Toledo head coach Mark Batman. “I think we would have closed the game out with a second goal. They converted on two very good chances in the second half, and that’s why they’re second in the conference right now. There were a lot of youth-learning moments with us. Great game from Paige (Dornheggen) in her first full 90 minutes in goal this season. She’s going to be just fine. Hopefully, we can regroup and finish with a win at Akron.”
Toledo will be in Akron for their final game of the regular season on Wednesday, Oct. 29, at 3 p.m.
Huskies fall, Eagles soar
Despite Northern Illinois holding onto the lead twice in this match, Eastern Michigan’s offense wouldn’t let up, scoring two out of their three goals within the opening three minutes of the second half. The 4-9-3 Huskies would fall 3-2 to Eastern Michigan, making them tenth in the MAC standings.
After this loss, the Northern Illinois Huskies will be going on the road, facing off against the 9-6-2 Ball State Cardinals on Wednesday, Oct. 29, at 3 p.m.
Ohio University’s offense brought the pressure
Ohio University went out with a bang to wrap up the regular season, winning 4-1 against UMass and outshooting 31-12 (13-8 on goal). The Bobcats struck early with a 1-0 lead in the seventh minute, and added on just 30 minutes later.
Although this wraps up the regular season for the 5-9-5 Bobcats, UMass still has one last home game against the 8-2-8 Bowling Green Falcons to go on Wednesday, Oct. 29, at 1 p.m.
Rally RedHawks
Miami coming back from a 1-0 deficit to win 2-1 against Ball State would extend Miami’s unbeaten streak to eight games (a program high for the Redhawks, since their nine-game unbeaten streak in 2019) and snap Ball State’s winning streak at four games.
After this win, Miami will be heading back home to take on the 8-5-5 Kent State Golden Flashes on Wednesday, Oct. 29, at 3 p.m.
