Central has shown two kinds of hockey play this season— one that has underachieved and one that has dominated. Friday’s game will determine if the team has improved since season-opening losses to EMU and Bowling Green.

“It’s not a do-or-die type of game, but beating Michigan will show how strong a team we have,” said coach Dave Goldenbogen.

On Homecoming last year, Michigan came to Mount Pleasant and won 5-0. This year, the Wolverines arrive with a victory against Bowling Green — a team Central already lost to.

Despite these setbacks, Goldenbogen said this year’s team is better suited to defeat U-M.

“We have a lot more depth this season,” he said. “We’re able to run four lines this year when we only ran two against (Michigan) last year.”

He also said the team has improved defensively.

Friday’s game also may be a national tournament preview. Michigan’s club hockey has a successful history which includes an appearance in the national finals in 2001. Michigan finished 18-11-1 and qualified for the national tournament last season.

Goldenboger said CMU (2-2) needs to score on the power play. Though the team has excelled in producing even-strength goals, they have failed to capitalize on mistakes of opponents.

“Our power-play has to improve,” he said. “We’ve shifted a couple of things around. Now that everybody is starting to know the system a bit better, hopefully that will lead to more scoring chances.”

The game is at 8 p.m.

-Josh Vick

Men’s rugby faces MSU

The Central Michigan men’s rugby team is faced with its toughest challenge yet in the last game of the season.

Undefeated Michigan State will visit Mount Pleasant Saturday in attempt to finish a perfect season.

It is a chance for Central to prove it can compete at a high level.

“Michigan State is a great program, if we want to beat them we have to finish the job and convert our drives into tries,” sophomore Rob Palowski said. “Our forwards need to lead the way and make the big plays in order for us to win.”

Central has struggled this season on offense, scoring only twice in four matches.

Unlike Central, Michigan State has not had trouble scoring points. MSU has scored 151 points in its last three matches. In contrast, Central has scored only 12 points against the same three teams.

Pawlowki said ball control is a key to winning.

Central has demonstrated good ball control this season, but has been unable to score tries.

Central’s defense has allowed an average of 28.5 points in its last two games.

If Central accompishes its ball-control goals, that will give the offense a last chance to prove its skill this season.

Forwards D’waine Ackerman and Trevor Beales need to make the big plays that have been missing offensively, said team president Brandon Smith.

“We have shown that we have the talent to win,” Smith said. “We may seem outmatched, but this is the biggest game of the season and we are looking forward to the challenge.”

Although Central is confident it can compete at its opponent’s level Saturday, MSU has a much different agenda.

“There is not a team in Michigan that can stand against Michigan State, period. We are a more physical team than anybody else, we just wear people down,” said Michigan State inside center Brandon Maiser.

The game is 1 p.m. Saturday at the Intramural fields.

-Jon Gunnells

Lacrosse team continues success

A 14-3 victory against Alma Saturday did not satisfy the club lacrosse team.

“We know that we can play better as a team,” said club president and player Jared Venia. “We played a sloppy game, and we definitely should not have let a team like that score three goals on us.”

The team must play a better overall game, particularly at fielding ground balls, Venia said.

Dave Trebnik led the team in scoring for the second consecutive game. He had five goals, and has 10 this season. Pat Copus and Joe Vander Meulen added three goals each. Freshman Pat Calzone played a solid game in goal, Venia said.

The team’s next game is next Thursday against Kettering University in Flint.

The team is having a fundraiser during Homecoming weekend. They will be having a “Dunk a Husky” dunk tank outside of Kelly/Shorts Stadium during Saturday’s football game against Northern Illinois.

-David Harris