Toledo Tripped Up By Central Michigan, 2-0

by Brian DeBenedictis

October 5, 2012

TOLEDO, OH – Toledo dropped a 2-0 decision to Central Michigan on Friday at chilly Scott Park in a battle between the premier programs in the Mid-American Conference over the last six seasons. With the loss, the Rockets fall to 4-8-1 overall, 2-2-1 in the league.

UT has claimed four of the last six MAC Tournament titles (2006, ‘07, ‘08, ‘11), while the Chippewas have won the other two postseason championships (2009, ‘10) during this stretch.

With a cold rain coming down for a good majority of the match, CMU (8-4-1, 4-1-0 MAC) scored both goals in the opening half to register its first triumph in the "Glass City" since Oct. 12, 2001.

Central Michigan took a lead it would not relinquish on Danielle Rotheram’s second score of the season in the 11th minute. Rotheram stole the ball from UT senior Jaimie Morsillo about 30 yards from the end line in the middle of the pitch to make the play possible. She then took a couple of quick dribbles and blasted a right-footed shot just under the outstretched arm of Toledo sophomore goalie Kelsey Borowitz.

As the first period wore on, CMU’s Bailey Brandon doubled the lead with her first goal of the year at 23:21. Brandon perfectly bent a 20-plus yard shot from the left side around a four-person UT wall into the top right corner of the net.

The Chippewas took the 2-0 lead into the intermission, holding a decisive 12-1 advantage in shots.

Toledo made some adjustments at the break and played much better soccer in the second half. UT controlled a bulk of the possession in the final 45 minutes and posted a 3-2 edge in corner kicks. They also equalled CMU with three shots in the second period.

For the match, the two-time reigning MAC regular-season champion Rockets were outshot 15-4 but finished with a 4-3 advantage in corner kicks. Senior Rachael Kravitz, senior Natalia Gaitan, sophomore Alexis Tice and Morsillo tallied UT’s shots in today’s divisional showdown.

Brandon paced the Chippewas with a match-high five shots, followed by Autumn Hawkins with three shots.

Between the posts, Toledo’s Borowitz and freshman Sam Tiongson split time. Borowitz was credited with three saves in the first half, while Tiongson made one stop over the final 45 minutes. CMU’s Stefanie Turner went the distance and was forced to make one save to record her sixth shutout of the season.

The Rockets will look to bounce back against arch-rival Bowling Green on Sunday, Oct. 7. The match against BGSU will be carried live on the Buckeye Cable Sports Network (BCSN) at 1:05 p.m. Sunday’s contest has been tabbed as "Camper/Youth Day" with UT campers receiving free admission with their camp t-shirt. After the match, fans can get autographs from their favorite Rockets.

Central Michigan 2, TOLEDO 0

CMU: Danielle Rotheram (Unassisted), 10:49
CMU: Bailey Brandon (Unassisted), 23:21

SHOTS: UT 4, CMU 15
CORNER KICKS: UT 4, CMU 3
SAVES: UT 4, CMU 1
FOULS: UT 16, CMU 9