Chippewas on the road again, sort of
The term “home game” is a rather loose term for the field hockey team when it plays Miami and Louisville at Michigan State University this weekend.
The games were moved to MSU because the construction of the new field hockey venue at Central is not complete. CMU still will manage the game and count them as home games.
“We aren’t worrying about where we are playing, we are focusing on the game being played,” said CMU coach Cristy Freese. “We have no control over the construction of our field.”
Opposing coaches are not worrying about Central not having a true home field advantage and are focusing on what the field at MSU has to offer.
Louisville coach Pam Bustin said she is glad the games are not being played on an inferior surface.
“What would be bad is if CMU decided to play the match on a surface that was not up to par,” Bustin said. “Michigan State has a premium surface and it is commendable they decided to play there.”
After being outscored 17-1 in the previous two games, coach Cristy Freese isn’t changing her philosophy.
“We aren’t going to change the way we play,” Freese said. “Last weekend just reinforced the things we need to do better this weekend.”
CMU has won the last seven meetings against the RedHawks, including three wins against them last season.
Miami is 4-3 and shutout its last two opponents.
The strong RedHawks defense is led by Mid-American Conference Defensive Player of the Week goalkeeper Kerri Orr. She received the honor for the second consecutive week and boasts a 1.65 goals against average and has three shutouts on the season.
Defending MAC champion Louisville has not started its season as it had hoped, opening with a 2-5 record. All but one of Louisville’s matches have been decided by one goal.
Louisville goalkeeper Jenna Halulko has a 1.76 goals against average, which is second best in the MAC.
“Central is dangerous around the cage and we know they will be tough to defend,” Bustin said.
