MOUNT PLEASANT — Following a successful, 4-0 homestand that extended the Central Michigan soccer team’s winning streak to a program-record nine matches, the Chippewas take their perfect Mid-American Conference record on the road this weekend.

Central (11-3, 6-0 Mid-American) begins its trip in DeKalb, Ill., where it faces Northern Illinois on Friday at 4 p.m. CDT. Following that match, the Chippewas face rival Western Michigan in Kalamazoo on Sunday at 1 p.m.

In addition to the wins, the Maroon and Gold have notched a school-record nine consecutive shutouts, which ties Ohio’s MAC record from 2004. Central is the first team in the country to accomplish that feat since Florida Atlantic did it in 2005. CMU has not allowed a goal in a program-record 842:19, the longest active streak in nation. CMU's play earned the squad a No. 9 regional ranking by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America this week.

The Chippewas lead the MAC in both scoring (2.0 goals per/match) and goals against average (0.63). Those figures have both improved in conference play as CMU has netted 16 goals (2.67 per match) and not allowed one tally in six league contests.

“I think this weekend will be a good barometer for us,” Anagnost said. “At around this time last year we went on the road and got very little in the way of results. We’re playing two teams that were in the tournament last year and both gave us a tough time. I’m anxious to see how we respond to playing on the road this time around.”

The Maroon and Gold’s 11 shutouts are tied with No. 7 South Carolina for the most in the country. The figure sits only two shy of the MAC-record 13 that Bowling Green posted last season.

Northern Illinois enters this week 4-9-2 and is 0-4-2 in MAC play. The Huskies are the second-lowest scoring team in the conference (0.71 goals/match), but their 0.95 goals against average is the fifth-best mark in the league. NIU dropped a pair of MAC contests at Kent State (2-1) and Buffalo (2-0) last weekend.

Central is 6-6 all-time against Northern Illinois. Amanda Waugh and Valerie Prause each tallied second-half goals in a 2-0 CMU victory in Mount Pleasant last season.

“For us to get better, it is imperative that our level of focus and concentration goes up, especially on the road,” Anagnost said. “We need to have a good week of practice and hopefully that has us ready to go on Friday.”

Western Michigan has an overall record of 5-6-2 and is tied for seventh in the MAC standings with a 2-3-1 league ledger. The Broncos lost at Buffalo, 2-1, before holding on for a 2-2 tie at Kent State last weekend.

CMU owns a 6-7 all-time record against WMU, but the Chippewas defeated the Broncos, 1-0, on Waugh’s goal with 2:16 remaining in last season’s meeting in Mount Pleasant.

Live stats will be available for both contests next weekend, courtesy of Northern Illinois and Western Michigan.

CMU News and Notes



Gaining Recognition — The Chippewas’ winning streak is earning them national recognition this week. Central enters the week No. 9 in the Great Lakes Region in the latest NSCAA poll. This is the third time in the last four seasons that the CMU soccer program has been regionally or nationally ranked in one of the weekly polls.



2006 (Soccer Buzz) — No. 9 Great Lakes (Aug. 28)

2006 (Soccer Buzz) — No. 10 Great Lakes (Sept. 4)

2006 (NSCAA) — No. 10 Great Lakes (Sept. 5)

2006 (Soccer Buzz) — No. 9 Great Lakes (Sept. 11)

2006 (Soccer Buzz) — No. 7 Great Lakes (Sept. 18)

2006 (Soccer America) — No. 20 National (Sept. 18)

2006 (NSCAA) — No. 10 Great Lakes (Sept. 19)

2008 (Soccer Buzz) — No. 15 Great Lakes (Oct. 6)

2008 (Soccer Buzz) — No. 15 Great Lakes (Oct. 13)

2009 (NSCAA) — No. 10 Great Lakes (Sept. 29)
2009 (NSCAA) — No. 9 Great Lakes (Oct. 12)

Blanking the Opposition — Central posted a conference-best 11 shutouts in its first 14 contests, tied for the highest total in the nation. CMU’s .786 shutout percentage ranks second in the country and only three other teams have recorded as many shutouts. The Chippewas have posted nine straight shutouts and have not allowed a goal in 842:19, both school records. 



Who Can it be Now — The MAC-leading CMU offense is getting it done with depth. 12 players have combined to score the Chippewas’ 28 goals this season and six players have scored two goals or more this season. Coming through in the clutch has not been a concern for the squad as seven players have netted at least one game winning goal.

Twidle Proving Herself — Freshman Laura Twidle has been the offensive catalyst for the Chippewas this season. The Mississauga, Ont., native leads the MAC with seven goals and 16 points in 14 matches (1.14 points per match). She is also tied for the MAC lead with three game-winning goals.