2024 MACtion on the Pitch: Week 6

After some thrilling non-conference matchups, our beloved MACtion started off with a bang.

Welcome back to MACtion on the Pitch, your weekly recap of Mid-American Conference women’s soccer.

The season has started over. A blank slate, and six tournament spots to fight for… #MACtion has finally arrived!

Let’s recap the first full week of conference play!

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Kent State at Toledo (1-0 Kent State)

The Flashes and Rockets would face off in their opener at Paul Hotmer Field. Kent State dominated the first half shot total 9-3, but couldn’t find the net. The halftime score would remain 0-0. Neither team would find an advantage early in the second half. In the 78th minute, Kent State’s Siena Stambolich would score the opener (Alanna Raimondo assist). Kent State would hold on to win 1-0. Heidi Marshall would only need to make one save in the shutout. Toledo’s Agnes Stenlund made six saves on the night.

David A. Cleveland/Kent State Athletics

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Western Michigan at Ohio (1-1 Draw)

This was one of the matches to watch this week. The reigning regular season champion against the reigning tournament champion. This one was a thriller. Neither team would find the early advantage, and the halftime score would be 0-0. The Broncos led in shots 4-3. In the 55th minute, Ohio’s Jaimason Brooker would score the opener to make it 1-0 Bobcats. It looked like the Bobcats would hold on. However, with 8:52 to go, Western’s Abby Werthman would score the equalizer. The match would end in a 1-1 draw.

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Bowling Green at Ball State (2-0 Bowling Green)

The Cardinals would host the Falcons in their opener. Neither team would find the early opener, and the halftime score would remain 0-0. In the 55th minute, BG’s Alaina Uncapher would score the opener (Emme Butera assist). Ball State would fight to find the equalizer, but Bowling Green would capitalize again. With 3:02 left, Emily Hollar would double the Falcons lead (Brynn Gardner assist). The Falcons would stun the Cardinals with a 2-0 victory. Madison Vukas would make three saves. Ball State’s Grace Konopatzki and Kate Pallante would combine for only one save.

Drake Harlett/BGSU Athletics

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Central Michigan at Eastern Michigan (2-2 Draw)

Central and Eastern Michigan would face off in Ypsilanti for their opener. In the 12th minute, Eastern’s Olivia Sipsock would score the opener (Maddie O’Farrell and Kate Robinson assists). In the 28th minute, Central’s Claudia Muessig would equalize (Jocelin Zimmerer assist). Central would take the lead in the 34th minute with a goal from Ella Betzold. 56 seconds later, Eastern’s Sophia Baumann would equalize (Mary Grimes assist). Check out Baumann’s goal:

No scoring would take place in the second half, and both teams would walk away with a draw

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Buffalo at Akron (2-0 Buffalo)

This was the other conference opener to watch. The battle of the unbeatens. Would one team walk away with a win, or would both teams draw? It was a tough battle through the first half, despite Buffalo leading in shots 7-1. The halftime score would be 0-0. Buffalo would increase the intensity in the second half, but couldn’t find the breakthrough. In the 77th minute, Buffalo’s Frederique St.-Jean would break the deadlock (Maya Galko assist). Here’s the goal from St.-Jean:

Akron could not get a shot away, and it would haunt the Zips. With 5:13 left in the match, Olivia Bizzoni would double the Bulls lead (Sarah Woods assist). Buffalo would remain unbeaten after the final whistle, handing Akron their first defeat of the season. Buffalo allowed no shots on goal throughout the whole match. Akron’s Penelope Cuirinier and Sara Bower would combine for three saves, with Bower allowing the two goals.

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Northern Illinois at Miami (1-1 Draw)

Miami would welcome Northern Illinois to Oxford, Ohio for their MAC opener. Neither team would get on the board in the first half, making the score 0-0. Twelve seconds into the second half, NIU’s Tyra King would score her sixth goal of the season (Kelsi McLaughlin assist). Miami dominated the shot total all game, but couldn’t find the net. In the 75th minute, Jamie Hlebec would equalize for the Redhawks with her second goal of the season. Both teams would walk away with the draw.

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Miami at Western Michigan (6-0 Western Michigan)

The Broncos welcomed the Redhawks for their MAC home opener. As you’ve already seen, this one was all Broncos. Jen Blitchok notched a hat trick and one assist. Abby Werthman notched one goal and two assists. Madi Canada notched one goal and one assist. Maya Dean would contribute one goal as well. Abby Baldridge added two assists, while Jenna Blackburn and Drew Martin recorded one assist each. Western earned their first MAC win, while Miami dropped their first MAC loss. Western’s Lauren Boafo would make three saves in the shutout. Miami’s Dominique Popa would make eight saves while allowing all six goals. Here’s the short recap from the rainy contest:

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Eastern Michigan at Buffalo (1-0 Buffalo)

Buffalo would welcome Eastern Michigan for their MAC home opener. Neither team would find the early advantage, and the halftime score would be 0-0. It was a back and forth battle, but neither team would find the advantage. That is, until the 73rd minute. Buffalo’s Laiken Kiser would score the opener (Carolyn Hinkle assist). Buffalo would hold on for the 1-0 win, moving to 2-0 in MAC play. Lexie Thompson made four saves in the shutout. Eastern would drop to 0-1-1 in MAC play. Ella Holland made nine saves.

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Ball State at Kent State (1-0 Kent State)

Kent State welcomed Ball State to Dix Stadium. Neither team would find a goal in the first half, keeping the halftime score at 0-0. Ball State dominated first half shots 5-1. No scoring would happen early in the second half until the 74th minute. Alisa Arthur would put the Flashes up 1-0, and put them up for good (Kelsey Salopek and Josie Morgan assists). Heidi Marshall saved all five of Ball State’s shots on goal. Kent State would move to 2-0 in MAC play. Ball State would drop their second straight match. Despite only allowing one shot on goal, it would haunt them. Check out Arthur’s game winner, plus her Kylian Mbappe celebration:

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Akron at Central Michigan (1-0 Central Michigan)

Akron and Central Michigan would face off in Mount Pleasant. Neither team would find scoring early in the match. With 9:59 left in the first half, Central Michigan’s Lauren Walker would score her second goal of the season to put the Chippewas up 1-0, and up for good. Central Michigan allowed only one Akron shot on goal, which Allison LaPoint would save, giving Central their first MAC win of the season. Akron’s Penelope Cuirinier would make three saves in Akron’s second MAC loss. Check out Walker’s goal here:

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Toledo at Bowling Green (2-1 Bowling Green)

A good old Battle of I-75 matchup would take place in Bowling Green. The Rockets would go up 1:19 into the match when Dalaney Ranallo would score the opener (Grace Turski assist). The Falcons would not get a goal in the first half, and the Rockets held the 1-0 halftime lead. 2:23 into the second half, Lexi Czerwien equalized the game for Bowling Green (Michelle Hochstadt assist). After some back and forth chances, it felt like this match would end in a draw. However, with 6:44 left in the match, Emma Stransky gave the Falcons the lead (Emme Butera assist). The Falcons would win their fifth Battle of I-75 of the last six. Toledo is still searching for their first Battle of I-75 victory since the 2017 MAC Championship.

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Ohio at Northern Illinois (0-0 Draw)

The Huskies would take on the Bobcats in DeKalb. While both teams had chances, neither team would find the winning goal. Both teams walked away with their second draw of conference play. NIU’s Ary Purifoy made three saves, while Ohio’s Celeste Sloma made seven saves.

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Standings

Here’s how the standings shape up after the first two conference games:

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MAC Players of the Week

Offensive Player of the Week

• Jen Blitchok, graduate forward, Western Michigan

The Grandville, Michigan native notched her second weekly honor of the season after scoring a hat trick and notching one assist against Miami. Blitchok leads the conference with ten goals and 22 points. Blitchok is three goals away from setting the program record.

Defensive Players of the Week

• Frederique St.-Jean, graduate defender, Buffalo

The Quebec native earned her first weekly honor after leading the Bulls defense to a pair of shutouts to start MAC play. Not only helping on defense, she also scored the opening goal against Akron.

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Goal of the Week

Our first goal of the week goes to Buffalo’s Laiken Kiser. The game winner always hits different.

Our final goal of the week goes to Madi Canada of Western Michigan. Just one spectacular shot!

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Moment of the Week

We extend our congratulations to Western Michigan’s Jen Blitchok, who earned a spot on the Top Drawer Soccer Team of the Week!