Central Michigan Life

Issue date: 10/19/07 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Mathew Stephens Sophomore midfielder Kim Erasmus and the field hockey team lost 3-2 in overtime Wednesday against Michigan. [Click to enlarge]

Field hockey coach Cristy Freese has long said good teams play hard for 70 minutes.

But not even 70 minutes of strong play Wednesday could propel the Chippewas to a win against No. 4 Michigan.

CMU (5-9 overall, 4-2 Mid-American Conference) gets the opportunity to reverse its bad fortune on the road at 2 p.m. Saturday against Miami University before heading to face Ball State at 2 p.m. Sunday in Muncie, Ind.

Central lost 3-2 in overtime to the Wolverines (12-4, 5-0 Big Ten), and shifts its focus back to the MAC for its final four games.

"It reaffirmed to our kids the confidence they should have in themselves," Freese said. "We have a tough game Saturday against Miami. If we play like we did (against U-M) we'll be alright."

Freese believes her team's effort will lift its confidence heading into crucial games against the RedHawks (5-11, 3-4) and Cardinals (4-10, 2-5).

Freshman goalkeeper Louise Gericke played well again, saving 15-of-18 shots she faced against Michigan. Gericke said she believes her improvement has mirrored her teammates, and that the Chippewas are a different team than they were three weeks ago when they last played Miami and Ball State.

"I'm definitely more controlled and I focus more on what I need to get done," Gericke said. "Our whole team has changed its character. We're now a fighting team. We come out a lot stronger than we used to."

Freese said her team is finally starting to play the aggressive style required to be successful at the Division I level.

"I think not only in their physical game, but also in their mentality," Freese said. "I was really pleased with our offense and what we did (against U-M). We certainly can build on this."

CMU started its season 0-6, but has since lost just once to a team not ranked in the top 20. The 5-3 loss came Sept. 28th at home against Miami.

Central appears to be maturing fast despite having only five juniors and one senior. Freshman midfielder Kim Sihota said CMU wants to win this year, but also is looking at the season as a start for the future.

"I think with each game we develop more," Sihota said. "We're looking at it as a two-year program, and we've been improving each game, which is good."



sports@cm-life.com

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