by Bryce Reedy
Entering the weekend, the women’s soccer team had an opportunity to clinch home field for the first round of the RMAC playoffs with a win against the 1-15 Yellowjackets. And the Mavericks did not let the opportunity slip away as CMU went on to dominate the game and win 6-0.
“It was just an amazing day overall,” midfielder Amanda Wenzel said. “It was senior night so we got to decorate the locker room and everything. But just to be able to apply what we do at practice into a game it just felt really good. I remember going off and telling my team that it’s fun out there and that I hope everyone gets to go out.”
Wenzel was one of five Mavericks to score on the night. CMU found themselves with a 3-0 lead after the first 10 minutes of match, and never looked back. Both CMU’s offense and defense were on point throughout the match. The Mavericks outshot the Yellowjackets 41-0 and 21-0 in shots on goal.
With the victory the Mavericks will host a RMAC playoff game against Metro State on Wednesday, Nov. 2.
“It feels great,” midfielder and senior Taylor Bruno said. “It is the first time that we are going to the playoffs since I have been here so it feels amazing. It is a feeling that you can only know if you are going to it.”
“We are really excited that we get to host so we will be playing [at Walker] on Wednesday night and that is really exciting for us,” Wenzel said. “The first time we played Metro we tied them so it is going to be exciting to get one more chance to beat them.”
CMU traveled to Metro back on Sept. 30 and the teams came away scoreless after two overtime periods, resulting in a 0-0 tie. But the Mavericks are a different team this go around, and if they stick to what has been working for them as of late, then they will be in great shape come Wednesday.
“We just need to believe in our way and know that our way works,” head coach Jason Clare said. “Know that whatever minute it is that our way works and that our philosophy is working. […] But the nice thing is that we are going to be on this pitch in front of our home crowd hopefully underneath the lights. It is a special atmosphere here the fans are great.”
The Mavericks are entering the matchup with Metro 4-1 in their last five games, outscoring their opponents 12-5 over those five matchups. CMU looks to ride their hot streak into the playoffs.
“The momentum that we have right now is just going to keep on going,” midfielder Lauryn Lee said.
The team is ready for the postseason, and are looking to get the win and play again on Friday.
“We are hungry and you can’t coach that,” Clare said.
Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. at Walker Field.
