Field hockey struggles in season opener
The new season for the Central Michigan University field hockey team started with a 10-3 loss to the University of Delaware. The Chippewas were no match for a team considered among the best in the NCAA.
UD had 22 shots Friday compared to five from CMU. Last season UD went 13-9 before losing to Kent State University in the NCAA tournament.
CMU goalkeeper senior Sadie Lynn Reynolds had six first-half saves, but the UD offense didn’t let up. The Blue Hens peppered the net with 14 shots in the first half. Lisa Giezeman of UD had two goals and an assist in the game along with six shots on goal.
New Head Coach Molly Pelowski praised her goalkeeper and said she wants to reduce the amount of shots allowed.
“Reynolds kept us in the game, she got a lot of work today," she said. "The people in front of her have to play better, that’s the bottom line,” she said.
The Chippewa offense was not able to gain any momentum, producing just the five shots. Senior Kaysie Gregory tallied two goals for the Chippewas and junior Maude Stalars scored her first goal of the season off a penalty stroke.
Pelowski said this game was a good ‘measuring stick’ for the future. “If this is how we want to compete against top teams in the country, we’re going to have to step up our game.”
The Chippewas will have to adjust quickly as Michigan State University will travel to Mount Pleasant on Saturday for a noon matchup. The Spartans are ranked 19th in the NCAA rankings.
