Saturday a must-win for field hockey
After a start to the season plagued with little offense and an 0-13 start, field hockey has a chance to turn it around this weekend.
Central Michigan field hockey has an opportunity to pick up a much needed conference win to keep their postseason hopes alive this weekend against one of the top teams in the Mid-American Conference.
CMU will travel to Miami (Ohio), which is in a first place tie with Ohio and Kent State in the conference at 3-1. The Chippewas sit fifth in the MAC at 1-3.
Head Coach Molly Pelowski said the strength of the RedHawk defense is not letting opponents cross the midfield mark.
“Miami does a pretty nice job with marking their defensive 50,” Pelowski said. “We’re working on creating separation.”
The biggest challenge awaiting the Chippewas going into the match Saturday will be controlling the offensive power the RedHawks have displayed all year. Miami leads the MAC in both goals scored (39) and shots on goal (216). CMU ranks last in both categories.
CMU has only scored 13 goals this entire season while posting just 73 shots on goal. The next closest team in the MAC in shots on goal is Ball State with 123.
“We’re hoping to create more shots by maintaining possession and really relying on our midfield for help to create more opportunities at the goal,” Pelowski said. “It just starts with the quality of our possession and the build up. We’re working right now to get our forwards more open.”
But what the Chippewas lack in offense, senior goalkeeper Sadie Lynn Reynolds makes up for in saves. Reynolds leads the MAC with 108 saves this year and her presence has kept CMU in games they could have been blown out of.
CMU plays Louisville on the road on Sunday at 1 p.m., although it will have no bearing on the team’s postseason fate.
The Chippewas and RedHawks begin play Saturday at noon in Oxford, Ohio. CMU must beat Miami and then top Ball State Oct. 30 in the regular season finale in order to have a shot at making the four-team MAC Tournament, Nov. 6 and 7 in Mount Pleasant.
“It would be great to have an opportunity to expand our season,” Pelowski said. “Postseason is a like a new season and new life so hopefully we’ll make it there.”
