Field hockey hosts 2 games
Greg Burghardt
The No. 20 Chippewas host Northwestern at 2 p.m. and have a MAC showdown with Ball State at 1 p.m. Saturday.
Northwestern has lost five consecutive matches and has scored only two goals during that period.
“You can’t evaluate their record without looking at their schedule,” said Head Coach Cristy Freese. “They play in the Big Ten and that’s a really tough conference.”
The Chippewas are looking to continue on last weekend’s success. After beating No. 7 Kent State, CMU finally broke into the rankings.
“We have to play as well as last weekend to beat Northwestern,” Freese said. “We must be intense and execute like last weekend.”
CMU is looking to shut down Northwestern’s offense.
“Northwestern has a good passing game,” Freese said. “We need to step up and get some interceptions.”
After beating Ball State 3-1 on the road in the MAC opener, the Chippewas are 4-1, and are atop the MAC standings.
“Last year, we beat Ball State twice in the regular season, and then they beat us in the first round of the MAC Tournament,” Freese said. “I think they are a much better team than last year.”
The Cardinals, who are one game behind the Chippewas in the MAC standings, have been led by Allison Hayes. The senior leads the team with seven goals and two assists. The Cardinals also are the only team in the MAC that has beaten Louisville.
“Ball State has shown they can beat the best teams in the conference,” Freese said. “If we want to be the best, we have to beat the best.”
