Miami is first up in CMU’s quest for first title
Field hockey coach Cristy Freese knows what is at stake in today’s game against Miami University.
It is the opening round of the MAC Tournament at Kent State, where the champion will receive an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
“The biggest challenge for us is the consistency factor,” she said. “We have to be totally on for 70 minutes, and for all three days.”
The Chippewas are seeded third, after tying with Louisville for second place in the regular season.
“We are playing the best we have all season,” said senior back Katie Coccia. “On both ends of the field all the players are coming together as a team.”
Freese said even after beating Miami 6-1 Sept. 28 and 4-1 Oct. 19, her team still has to play well.
“The challenge with Miami is to treat them like Ball State or Kent State,” she said. “It is our last game we know we get to play, and if we just show up, then we’ll be leaving early.”
The RedHawks were 0-10 in the MAC.
“When we are focused on offense and defense we play really well, and our chances of winning are about 90 percent,” Freese said.
Younger players will be asked to step up this weekend. The Chippewas starting lineup includes three sophomores and two freshmen.
“Miami has always been a dangerous team, but we proved we can beat them,” said sophomore Erica Takach. “We have always been there as a team, but we just have not been able to finish. We know what works with the teams in the conference.”
After starting the season 1-5, the Chippewas have surged. They have won four out of five games, allowing only two goals in the span.
“Our team is playing absolutely on top of our game right now,” Coccia said. “We are going after every ball, knowing that someone else is right behind us.”
Both team’s goalkeepers are freshmen playing in their first MAC Tournament. Keri Matthews, the RedHawks goalie, is fourth in the NCAA with 197 saves.
CMU’s Danielle Frank is 4-1 with 35 saves in her last five games. She has two shutouts this season.
“To accomplish the goals we have set, we have to play three games in three days, and we have to win them all,” Freese said.
Coccia said the seniors set the standard for younger players.
“They have set the pace,” she said. “The younger players look up to us, and they work really hard to make our jobs easier.”
With a win, the Chippewas advance to Saturday’s semifinal against Louisville.
