Jordan accomplished the feat by scoring two goals against Ball State last Thursday. She finished her career with 39 career goals, including a team-leading 13 goals this season.

The previous owner of fourth place is 2009 graduate Samantha Sandham, who had 38 career goals.

Sandham was a former teammate of Jordan’s and was recruited along with Jordan in hopes that they would form a lethal offensive duo for the Chippewas.

“I love Kelly and Sam as players, and the plan was that we would have a nice one-two punch with Sam and Kelly,” said head coach Cristy Freese. “Unfortunately, with the injuries, that didn’t happen, but Kelly certainly has had a great career here.”

While Jordan is a pure goal scorer, Freese said she was impressed by how open she was to being coached.

“The one thing that she has been good at this year is just how coachable she is,” she said. “Sometimes, because she is an older player, it is easier for her to put things we talk about into the games.”

Jordan said in prior conversations with Sandham, she made it known that one of her main goals was to pass Sandham’s goal mark.

“When Kelly is on her game, she is unstoppable,” Sandham said. “During spring league, she told me it was her goal to break all of my records in her final season; I told her to go for it and, indeed, she did.”

While she respects her former teammate, Jordan said she feels a little competition makes this achievement more fun as long as the important things are still accomplished.

“It is a competition, but it is a good competition because it really doesn’t matter who wins,” she said. “Obviously, we were trying to further the success of the team.”

Jordan said she thinks she and Sandham are similar in a few ways.

“She is a good player and she has a good scoring ability, and I think I do, too,” Jordan said. “We both took corner shots and I think that is another good reason for us to get more opportunity to score.”

After a slow start to the season where CMU went 2-4 before playing a home game, the Chippewas were fighting an uphill battle the rest of the year to finish at .500 or better.

The team dropped 12 of its first 16 games of the season. The struggles in part were a result of a slow offensive start, as CMU managed to score 23 goals compared to the 37 it gave up in those 16 games.

“I expect us to come out stronger next year because we understand the effort it takes, which we put in at the end of the season,” said sophomore Lauren Leed. “I think next year, we are going to come out fearless, firing and ready to go.”

When the Chippewas take the field for the first time next season, they are going to be without this year’s class of six seniors, five of which are defensive players. Also, as a part of the defensive overhaul, the team is losing its starting (senior Mel Curran) and backup goalkeeper (senior Kahla Schwall).

“We will be a little younger on the defensive end,” coach Cristy Freese said. “We are going to be losing our starting goalkeeper and a few defensive pieces of our team. In our defensive backfield, counting Mel (Curran), we are losing four players, and that is about 66 percent of our defense.”

CMU ended its season in the MAC semifinal game Friday, with a 2-1 loss to Ohio in Muncie, Ind.

Thinning out

CMU’s only returning goalkeeper, sophomore Anastasia Netto, has just one game of experience, but she has three years of eligibility left.

Powered by its defense, CMU was ranked third in goals against average (2.04), second in goals allowed (39) and tied for second with a 2.05 goals-per-game average in the MAC.

Leed said the defensive losses could help the offense by giving them opportunity.

“I think we are faced with a unique challenge next season,” she said. “This year, our defense has been solid and has been first in the MAC in many categories, but we are going to be losing a lot of defensive players. I think that gives our offense, which was young and rebuilding and was not always on the mark, a chance to step up.”

Senior Kelly Jordan led the Chippewas with 13 goals and 35 points. Freshman Erin Dye came in second with 13 points and Leed had the second-most goals on the team (6).

Jordan is the lone CMU offensive player graduating.

“I think it is going to be fun in the springtime playing with each other and learning each other because there are going to be a lot of fresh spots,” Leed said. “I have all the confidence in the world that these girls are going to step up and fill those spots. There are some big shoes to fill, but I think we can get it done.”

Friday

The Bobcats got the scoring started with a goal in the first half off a shot from Marcy Dull in the 17th minute. It was the only goal of the first half.

Leed scored for CMU in the 52nd minute of the second half when she scooped up a rebound off a Jordan shot and snuck it past goalkeeper Courtney Seiders to tie the game. But the Bobcats added their second goal in the 64th minute, when Paige Herr picked up a rebound from a shot by Dull to close out the scoring.

Freese said while the team lost, it did have plenty of opportunities to change the outcome.

This game was one that the Chippewas had been waiting for since a 5-0 loss to Ohio on Oct. 25.

“We really wanted this game,” said head coach Cristy Freese. “We really didn’t play well in the last game against OU and we wanted another shot at them. I thought we came into this game with a much better team effort than last time we played Ohio. I thought that we fought hard but we just came short.”

The Bobcats got the scoring started with a goal in the first half off a hard shot from Marcy Dull in the 17th minute. The half ended at that score.

Sophomore Lauren Leed scored for the Chippewas in the 52nd minute of the second half off a senior Kelly Jordan shot and got it past Bobcat goalkeeper Courtney Seiders to tie things up 1-1.

“It is really tough and at the time I was really excited that I scored the goal but when it comes down to it, it doesn’t matter because we lost,” Leed said. “We win as a team and lose as a team so it would have been more exciting if we would have come out on the other end.”

That tie would not produce a lead for the team as the Bobcats added another goal in the 64th minute when Paige Herr picked up a rebound from a shot by Dull to close out the scoring.

Freese said while the team did lose this game, they did have plenty of opportunities to change the outcome.

“There was a couple times where I thought we came close to tying it up and maybe taking the lead but that didn’t happen,” she said. “It was just a good close game all the way through as it should be for a MAC semi-finals game.”

After beating Ball State 3-1 Thursday, the team will play the regular sesaon MAC co-champion, Ohio.

“It is going to be a tough game for us because OU is playing really good right now,” said head coach Cristy Freese. “The last time we played them, it was a 5-0 defeat and was certainly one of our worst games.”

Fresh off of a first-round bye, the Bobcats (10-8 overall, 8-2 MAC) are a team which defeated the Chippewas by a combined score of 7-1, including a 2-1 win in Mount Pleasant.

“There are some things that we have to do better against this team,” Freese said. “We have to be quicker in our passing than last time and we need to move some people around a little bit to defend better against what they did last time.”

Ohio is the better ranked team according to the standings, but CMU does not mind playing the role of the underdogs, said sophomore Paulina Lee.

“I think it would be a great thing to get to the finals because, standings-wise, it will be an upset,” Lee said. “I think it gives us that chip on our shoulder because no one thinks we are going to win, and that makes us play a little bit harder.”

The Chippewas’ four-game winning streak is their longest of the season. Lee said she understands this is a good thing in terms of team morale, but she hopes it does not become negative.

“We need to keep the mindset that, yes, we have won a few games, but every win has been a battle,” Lee said. “We need to make sure we aren’t becoming too cocky while, at the same time, know that we can win the next game.”

Freese said teams do not often get second chances, but she will take one when the opportunity comes.

“I tell the kids that we do not get second chances, but we do have one now,” she said. “We wanted this game and I am really excited that we have it because we were really disappointed in the outcome of the last game (against Ohio). We just have to make the most of it.”

Thursday

Lee said the start of Thursday’s 3-1 win against Ball State set the tone for the entire game.

“The biggest thing that we did was that we came out very strong in the first half and we came out with intensity,” Lee said. “Ball State is a good team and, if we didn’t come to play, we would have lost.”

Senior Kelly Jordan opened the scoring, getting her career-high 12th goal of the season. Freshman Erin Dye made it 2-0 a little more than a minute later. Jordan then scored her second goal to put the Chippewas up 3-0 at halftime.

The Cardinals scored their goal in the 43rd minute of the second half.

The Chippewas defeated Mid-American Conference opponent Missouri State for the second time in two days, 3-1.

“I have wanted to win more than one game all season,” said coach Cristy Freese. “We have a nice little streak going and, obviously, we have some confidence going into the MAC Tournament and we just need to keep it going.”

CMU also defeated the Bears 4-1 Saturday.

“Today, we struggled a little bit offensively, but I also think that we had to expect some changes in their game,” Freese said. “That is what happens when you play a team two times in two days. Basically, we got the win, and that’s what we wanted to do.”

Missouri State started the scoring at the 23-minute mark, when Alyssa Hile scored.

The Chippewas answered three minutes later, with junior Brooke Sihota scoring on a pass from senior Kelly Jordan to make it 1-1. The team took the tie into halftime.

CMU would add two more goals by Jordan and freshman Erin Dye.

“A win going into the tournament is important and our kids knew that,” Freese said. “It was a little tougher today, but they had great effort and that’s what we need.”

Freese stressed the importance of stringing together some wins going into the Mid-American Conference Tournament to pick up momentum.

“We seem to be really prepared to get going into the tournament,” Dye said. “We have had good practices lately. We have been playing good lately but, I think more importantly, we have shown a lot of growth as a team.

“I think we got off to a slower start, but I think we have really picked it up, and we have great potential to really do some work in the tournament.”

Hat trick

Jordan scored her eighth goal of the year to give CMU the initial lead in Saturday’s victory. Sihota added another before the first half was over.

CMU scored fast in the second half when Jordan got her second goal of the afternoon just 5:22 into the half off of a penalty corner. She would later score again, completing the hat trick.

“I think it was just a great team effort,” said head coach Cristy Freese. “Missouri State was able to get the ball up to their two really good scorers and we were able to really shut them down. I am really proud of our team and I would take four goals any day.”

The Chippewas were first to score with senior Kelly Jordan getting her eighth goal of the year. The team lead 2-0 at the half.

CMU scored fast in the second half when Jordan scored her second goal of the afternoon just 5:22 into the half on a penalty corner. Jordan completed the hat trick about four minutes later putting the Chippewas up 4-0.

“I thought Kelly Jordan was dynamic today with her three goals,” Freese said. “We moved her to the left outside position and that really opened things up for her and we will see if that happens again tomorrow.”

The teams play at noon Sunday at the CMU Field Hockey Complex.

“I think we are the team that has to be more careful tomorrow in the sense that we can’t take today’s win for granted,” Freese said. “I told the team afterwards that Missouri State wasn’t able to capitalize on our mistakes and if we were playing a little bit better of a team those mistakes would have cost us.”

With the win, the Chippewas (6-12, 3-6 Mid-American Conference) secured at least the fifth seed in next week’s MAC Tournament in Muncie, Ind.

“We haven’t had a winning streak at any point this season,” Jordan said. “Hopefully winning three games going into the tournament will be huge because we will get confidence and know that we could win the tournament.”

The teams will play at 1 p.m. Saturday and noon Sunday in the CMU Field Hockey Complex.
“The kids are motivated to win,” said coach Cristy Freese. “I know we have had a tough season but, they really are motivated to win.”

Freese said Missouri State is a familiar opponent because it closely resembles Ball State, whom the Chippewas had success against this season.

“They are a very good offensive team,” she said. “They remind me of Ball State in the fact that, offensively, they have some really good players. They are a tough team to play defensively because they are very tough in the circle and they score a lot of goals. Our defense needs to be top-notch and try to hold them back.”

Awareness

Saturday’s game against MSU is “Think Pink” day at the CMU Field Hockey Complex. Both teams will wear pink wristbands and spectators will receive pink ribbons to raise breast cancer awareness. Sunday’s game is senior day.

“I think we will be very motivated to play in front of our family and friends,” Freese said. “Senior day is always really important and, normally, our team is always motivated to play extra hard for our seniors on senior day.”

This is the third consecutive season the Chippewas finished the regular season at home.
“It is always exciting to play at home because we do get our own fan base and everyone’s parents will be up here for senior day on Sunday,” said sophomore Paulina Lee.

Wednesday

The team beat Michigan 1-0 on Wednesday.

Junior Pam Seufert scored the only goal off a shot by senior Kelly Jordan at the 55-minute mark.

“I warned our kids that this is a nice win, but don’t get overexcited here,” Freese said. “When you lose on the weekend, the kids want the coaches to forget about it when they see you in practice. When you win, your coach wants you to forget about it.”

“After the disappointing weekend last weekend I talked to the kids about putting more effort and passion and I thought our kids did a great job of that today,” said coach Cristy Freese.

Senior goal keeper Melinda Curran stopped eight shots while Paige Pickett stopped both Chippewa shots in the first half, sending the game tied at 0-0 into the second half.

Chippewas scored the only goal of the game 55 minutes in when junior Pam Seufert scored a rebound from a senior Kelly Jordan shot.

“I just remember thinking I want this to go in right now,” Seufert said. “I just wanted to win it for the team with that shot.”

Curran stopped four more shots in the second for a total of 12 in the game, earnning her third shutout of the year.

“Mel is just a tough competitor every practice and in every game,” Freese said. “Even in this past weekend, she took her lumps in those two games. Today, for her to come out and play solid and with a lot of confidence was great. The thing I know about Mel is that she will bring her A game every day and that is really nice.”

Freese understands the win against Michigan is big for the program but she doesn’t want her team to dwell on a game that has no Mid-American Conference meaning at all.

“I warned our kids that this is a nice win but don’t get over excited here,” she said. “This is a nice win but when you lose on the weekend the kids want the coaches to forget about it when they see you in practice. When you win your coach wants you to forget about it.”

CMU plays Missouri State at 1 p.m. Saturday and at noon Sunday in the CMU Field Hockey Complex.

sports@cm-life.com

The Wolverines and the Chippewas will take the field at 3 p.m. today at the CMU Field Hockey Complex.

“I feel like anytime we are playing against a Big Ten contender, we always play really well,” Lee said. “These types of games tend to bring out the best in our team. I think it is going to be a very competitive game and I hope we can play really well against them.”

The Wolverines will be the third Big Ten opponent the Chippewas have faced this season, and the team has developed a track record of matching up against such teams.

CMU traveled Sept. 20 to Columbus, Ohio, and lost 1-0 to No. 20 Ohio State. On Oct. 11, the Chippewas traveled to East Lansing and lost to No. 8 Michigan State 2-0.

The Wolverines are solid across the field and have a tough offensive and defensive attack, said coach Cristy Freese.

“What I think about Michigan in terms of a team is that they are a good well-rounded team,” Freese said. “They have strong defenders in the backfield, and they have got people up front that can score, so they are pretty well-rounded. They are very well-coached and they played Michigan State really tough this weekend and lost 2-1. They will be a challenge for us.”

Playing defense

The defense allowed just 14 goals in nine games, while the offense scored 12 goals. However, last weekend, the team allowed 10 goals in two games and the offense contributed with two goals in the same two-game span.

“I think our defense needs to get back and sort of close down the passing lanes for Michigan,” Freese said. “We also need to try to generate some offense off of fast breaks or penalty corners.”

Last weekend, CMU’s defense was missing senior Lizl Gericke on Sunday against Ohio, and the team allowed five goals for the third time this season.

“One of the problems this past Sunday against OU was that we had a senior defender down due to injury,” Freese said. “We are hoping that if we can get her back for the Michigan game or hopefully for the games this weekend, that will settle our defense down.”

Lee said she thinks the non-conference game against the Wolverines could serve as a solid start to the final week of the season.

“This is our last week of regular competition and then we go to the MAC Tournament. We just need to focus and get things done that we need to get done,” she said.

That was not the case Sunday.

The Chippewas, who have the top-ranked defense in the Mid-American Conference, lost 5-0 at Ohio University.

“Obviously, I am very disappointed,” said coach Cristy Freese. “We went into this weekend being a very good defensive team, and we came out of it definitely dropping in the MAC in terms of defense.”

Ohio scored at the 28-minute mark when Marcy Dull capitalized on a penalty corner, giving the Bobcats a 1-0 lead. OU’s Brooke Edwards scored two minutes later.

After keeping the score stagnant in the first fifteen minutes of the second half, Dull scored twice in ten minutes, completing her hat trick and giving Ohio a 4-0 lead. Laine Greenawalt finished the scoring for the Bobcats.

“They scored a couple of penalty corners, and they also got a breakaway on us and a nice pass,” Freese said. “It wasn’t anything that our defense hasn’t seen before, but we just didn’t do a good job.”

Along with a 5-2 loss Saturday at Kent State, the Chippewas uncharacteristically allowed ten goals in two games, the most in a weekend’s span by the team.

“I think that we didn’t play very well this weekend, but I don’t think we are in a position to give up for the year,” Freese said. “We have got to get back to that. We have Michigan this week and we have two MAC games this weekend.”

Saturday

The team started the weekend with a 5-2 loss Saturday at Kent State.

Senior Kelly Jordan opened the game’s scoring.

The Golden Flashes, with the help of two goals apiece from Rachel Miller and the Mid-American Conference’s scoring leader, Debbie Bell, scored four consecutive goals to end the half ahead 4-1.

After the break, KSU added another goal, which gave Bell a hat trick for the game. Kim Erasmus added a late goal, her first of the year.

“I don’t think that we were as aggressive as we needed to be this weekend, and we needed to move better together as a unit instead of one at a time,” Freese said.