Box Score Kaeli Vandersluis and Sarah Schweiss combined on a pair of goals to lead Colorado College to a 3-1 victory over Central Michigan University on a picture-perfect Sunday afternoon at Stewart Field.

The Tigers were dominant at both ends of field, putting 15 of their 26 shots on frame while allowing only five total shots by the Chippewas.

"It was a big step for our team," Schweiss said. "This was our best offensive showing so far. As we get better, there will be a lot more goals to come. We had a little mental breakdown, but we stayed composed and held for the win."

CC needed just 5:55 to get on the board. Schweiss scored her Mountain West-leading fifth goal of the season off a feed from Vandersluis after the senior forward dribbled along the end line and slipped a pass into the box.

With her 17th career assist, Vandersluis tied Martina Holan (1994-97), Ashley Hooverson (2001-04) and Kerri Tashiro (1986-89) for eighth place on the program's all-time list.

The early lead lasted a little more than seven minutes because CMU leveled the score when senior forward Laura Gosse found the net off a cross from senior forward Jennifer Gassman.

That tally was the first scored against freshman goalkeeper Rowan Frederiksen since Aug. 24 against Denver, snapping a streak of 475:43.

"That was a good performance for us," head coach Geoff Bennett said. "We started very fast with a goal and then we kind of lost focus after that and they got one back on us.
Then we were right back on track after that. To be able to deal with a teaching moment like that during a win is huge."

Vandersluis and Schweiss teamed up again in the 20th minute with Vandersluis taking the honors that time. After Schweiss laid the ball off with a back kick, Vandersluis dribbled her way toward the net and scored on a low shot on the right side.

It appeared as though Colorado College would play a game decided by one goal or less for the sixth time in seven games until Rachel Herron scored in the 83rd minute. The senior forward tapped in the rebound of a shot by senior midfielder Jessie Ayers to close out the scoring.

Sophomore goalkeeper Heather Laeufer made 12 saves to keep the Chippewas within striking distance. She denied sophomore midfielder Dana Gornick's effort from 12 yards after Vandersluis hit the crossbar, and then made a diving save on a curling shot by Herron that was headed just inside the far post with 49 seconds to play.  

"Their keeper was phenomenal today and we hit three posts as well," Bennett said. "It was a good performance by us. I'm happy that we're continuing to get better every game. Today was our best attacking game of the season."

The Tigers improved to 4-1-2 overall and extended their current unbeaten streak to six matches. CC also is riding an 18-game unbeaten streak dating back to Oct. 5 2012.
Colorado College travels to BYU on Saturday, Sept. 20, for its only game of the week.  

"It's going to be a really high level of soccer at BYU so we're going to need to come out strong," Schweiss said. "They play very well at home so we're going to need to be prepared."