Box Score | MAC Tournament Information

MOUNT PLEASANT — For the second time this season, the Central Michigan soccer team and Toledo played a scoreless tie for 110 minutes, but the Chippewas advanced in penalty kicks, 4-2, to clinch a berth in the Mid-American Conference Tournament finals for the first time since 2004 on Friday.

Central (15-3-3, 9-0-2 Mid-American) will face Miami, who defeated Eastern Michigan, 2-1, in the MAC Tournament championship match on Sunday at 1 p.m.

CMU came out strong in the first half, taking the first four shots and a corner kick in the first 19 minutes. Chelsi Abbott nearly put the Chippewas up in the 10th minute when her header beat UT goalkeeper Vicki Traven, but clanged off the crossbar.

The Rockets picked things up in the middle of the first half and nearly had a goal of their own when a corner kick ended up at the foot of Jaimie Morsillo just in front of the goalie box at the left side, but her shot sailed over the net and the teams remained deadlocked at halftime. CMU outshot UT, 7-4, in the opening frame.

Toledo controlled long stretches of the second half, pinning Central in its own end for the majority of the final regulation period. The Rockets owned a 5-1 advantage in shots and took the only corner kick in the final 45 minutes, but were unable to find the back of the net.

“I want to give Brad Evans and his staff a lot of credit on Toledo’s end,” head coach Tom Anagnost said. “Those seniors have a lot to be proud of, they made it difficult on us.”

The teams played a defensive-oriented overtime as CMU fired the only shot and took the only corner kick of the extra 20 minutes.

In the penalty kicks, Central called upon senior goalkeeper Kristen Hubright to face Toledo’s shooters for her first appearance since Oct. 28, 2007.

The Chippewas came up empty in their first kick as Claire Horton’s blast beat Traven high, but hit the crossbar.

The Rockets returned the favor as Molly Cornwell’s shot drew iron as well.

Molly Gerst and UT’s Ali Leak each converted on their attempts, evening the score at 1-1 through two shooters.

In the third round, Liesel Toth drilled a shot past Traven to give the Chippewas the lead. Toledo’s Kristen Lynn blasted a shot to the left side and Hubright made a tremendous save, diving to her right to turn the shot aside.

“I am extremely proud of Kristen Hubright,” Anagnost said. “She made the play that I thought she would make. She is a special player who has great reaction time in these situations.”

Stephanie Martin and Toledo’s Erin Flynn traded tallies in the fourth round, giving Bailey Brandon an opportunity to put the Chippewas in the finals. The freshman ripped a clutch shot into the back of the net to end the contest and extend Central’s postseason run.

“Our kids persevered through the match,” Anagnost said. “They were committed the whole way through and grinded out a difficult match.”

Shay Mannino got the start in goal and stopped all three shots for her 15th shutout this season and 27th of her career, tying Anne Decker’s school record and two clean sheets shy of Lindsay Curnock’s MAC record.

Sunday’s contest against the RedHawks will be the second time the Chippewas have hosted MU this season. CMU claimed a 1-0 victory on Oct. 11.