Broncos claim first-ever MAC tournament win
Oct. 31, 2000
MT. PLEASANT, Mich. -- The WMU women's soccer team (10-8-2) collected its first-ever Mid-American Conference Tournament victory with a 2-1 decision over rival Central Michigan (10-10-1) Tuesday afternoon (Oct. 31) in Mount Pleasant.
Western Michigan will face Bowling Green in the tournament semifinals on Friday afternoon, hosted by the University at Buffalo. The Bulls will take on Miami in the second match of the day with the winners to battle for an automatic NCAA Tournament bid Sunday afternoon.
"We came out in the first half offensive-minded and played some of our best soccer of the year," head coach Mike Haines said. "In the second half we got back on our heels a little bit and held on for our lives."
The Broncos, who entered the tourney as the event's sixth seed, dominated play early and created five corner kicks in the opening nine minutes of play. The team's fifth attempt provided the first score of the match. Freshman defender Abi Morrell floated a long service from the left side and the wind pushed the ball toward goal at the far post. CMU keeper Beth Quiney was unable to locate the cross and the ball dropped into the side of the net for Morrell's team-leading sixth tally of the season.
WMU won the battles at both ends in the opening 45 minutes of play, possessing the ball for a majority of the time. The Chippewas finished with opening session with only three shots, none of which tested Western Michigan goalie Megan Ramey.
Later in the first half junior midfielder Brandi Buschhausen netted what proved to be the game winner. The score was the Burlington, Ontario, native's first of the season and ended up being the squad's most important goal of the campaign. A rebound bounced to her feet at the top of the box on the right side and Buschhausen lifted a shot over Quiney just inside the far post.
Central Michigan came out fighting in the second stanza, firing eight shots and creating numerous quality chances. The Bronco defensive troops responded, however, allowing only one goal with less than 10 minutes left in regulation.
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Media contact: Scott Kuykendall; 616 387-4138; scott.kuykendall@wmich.edu