TOLEDO, OH ? Toledo ran its winning streak to seven straight with a 2-0 shutout victory against Central Michigan on Sunday afternoon at Scott Park. With today's triumph, the Rockets collect their sixth shutout of the season and improve to 9-2-1 overall, 4-0-0 in the Mid-American Conference.
As has been the case for most of the season, sophomore Molly Cornwell fueled UT's offensive attack against the stingy Chippewas' (5-6-0, 1-3-0 MAC) defense with a goal and an assist. Cornwell has found the scoring column in eight of 12 matches thus far this season and leads the squad with 25 points (eight goals, nine assists). Her point total is already the third-highest mark by a Rocket player in a single season and at-least seven matches remain in 2007.
Toledo started today's match strong and possessed the first quality scoring chance on a shot by sophomore Ali Leak at 22:36. The play was set up by Cornwell after she beat a CMU defender on the far sidelines and crossed the ball to her high school classmate, who was about eight-yards from the goal. Leak was able to get her head on the ball and it sailed just over the crossbar to keep the match scoreless.
The Rockets kept to the offensive attack and had another good scoring opportunity off the foot of sophomore Heather Wesley in the waning moments of the first half at 41:56. Wesley streaked past the CMU defense following a punt by sophomore goalkeeper Andrea Plewes and took a couple of dribbles before firing a shot on goal. Unfortunately for the Midnight Blue and Gold, CMU netminder Shay Mannino made a nice diving save to keep the score 0-0 at the intermission.
To start the second half, UT stayed aggressive and it looked like the defending MAC champs had the first score off a header by Leak at 53:05. Senior Suzi Siwinski played a corner kick into the heart of the CMU goal box. Leak jumped over a couple Central Michigan defenders and perfectly placed the ball toward the back of the net. Much to the dismay of Leak and the Rockets, CMU's Sarah Burns stood her ground on the far post and made a nice stop with her head to keep the match tied.
The Rockets' relentless attack finally paid huge dividends on senior Sarah Schulte's fifth tally of the season at 56:11. UT's Cornwell stole a CMU throw-in and beat a pair of defenders, before finding Schulte who was all alone about 10 yards from the endline. The Clinton Township, MI native took one dribble and perfectly slid a past CMU's Mannino to tally the eventual game winner.
Toledo was not done offensively and added to its lead at 78:53 on Cornwell's team-high eighth score. Junior Annie Sullivan was credited with the assist after she beat a couple CMU defenders and slid a pass across the goal mouth to Cornwell, who had streaked past the last line of defense. The Pickerington, OH native then made a quick move to beat the CMU netminder and tapped the ball into the back of the net to make it a 2-0 final score.
Toledo held a 9-4 shot advantage in the match. UT's Plewes was not really tested in the match and totaled two saves to collect her seventh victory of the season and third shutout. Mannino absorbed the loss for the Chippewas, collecting three stops.
Dating back to last season, the Midnight Blue and Gold are unbeaten over its last 10 home matches (9-0-1), including a perfect 6-0-0 in 2007.
The Rockets return to action on Friday, Oct. 12 when they travel to Buffalo, NY to battle the Bulls. The opening whistle is slated for 4:00 p.m.
TOLEDO 2, Central Michigan 0
UT: S. Schulte (M. Cornwell), 56:11
UT: M. Cornwell (A. Sullivan), 78:53
SHOTS: UT 9, CMU 4
CORNER KICKS: UT 6, CMU 3
SAVES: UT 2, CMU 3
FOULS: UT 9, CMU 10
