Overtime game against Ohio a first since new field hockey overtime rules went into effect
After the first weekend of conference play, the coaches’ preseason picks are coming to fruition as the Central Michigan women’s field hockey team holds on to fourth place in the Mid-American Conference standings.
CMU split its games over the weekend, losing 2-0 against Kent State on Friday before collecting an overtime win Saturday against Ohio.
Saturday’s 2-1 victory over Ohio marked the first time since the overtime rule changed, requiring penalty strokes following two 15 minute overtime periods, to determine a winner.
“It’s rare in today’s game,” said CMU head coach Cristy Freese. “It was the first time in the new era of decreasing the (number of) players in overtime that I’ve ever gone to.”
In overtime, the number of players on the field are decreased to six players and a goalkeeper, creating more space on the field in both the offensive and defensive circles to make a play to end the game.
Ohio’s Taylor Brown scored her ninth goal of the season in the second minute of the game Saturday, hinting at a potentially strong offensive performance early. But that would be the only shot Netto allowed for the game.
In the 36th minute, freshman Bailey McKeon evened the score with her second goal of the season.
The score would stay knotted up — despite multiple scoring opportunities — through the rest of the game, including two 15-minute overtime periods.
With the game still at a draw after 100 minutes, the game was decided on penalty strokes.
“I kind of expected it,” Netto said. “I saw how the game was going and both defenses were fighting really hard, but I was prepared either way.”
Both teams scored on their first three shots, but the streak was snapped when Ohio missed on its fourth shot. Freshman Simone Lazar followed the prior three CMU shooters before, putting the team up a goal. OU’s final shooter missed the net wide, ending the contest.
Netto finished with 10 saves on the day and 19 on the weekend to earn her the State Farm Scholar-Athlete of the week honors, an award that CMU gives out each week.
“I thought Anna played really well,” Freese said. “I thought both teams were really trying to shoot as hard as they could against her, but I think that fires Anna up.”
CMU (3-7, 1-1 MAC) has played two overtime games this season, the first being the 2-1 victory against Providence on Sept. 11.
The Chippewas opened MAC play Friday with a 2-0 loss to Kent State. Though the Chippewas were outshot 10-3 in the first half, the junior goaltender kept the scoreboard flawless, making five of her nine saves in the half.
In the second though, Kent State was able to capitalize on two of its scoring chances, improving to 2-1 in the MAC.
The team wraps up its home schedule this weekend with a pair of games at the CMU Field Hockey Complex. They begin play at 1 p.m. Saturday against Ball State and conclude at noon Sunday against Miami.
