Takach scores game-winner against Miami, team goes 1-1
Field hockey coach Cristy Freese was not happy with her team’s lack of desire after Saturday’s 4-1 loss against Louisville.
“Louisville flat outplayed us,” Freese said. “They just wanted it more. On one of their goals they made a diving touch with their stick.”
The loss dropped CMU’s record to 3-3 overall and 1-1 in the MAC.
The Cardinals got a quick lead after Kimberly Hughes scored less than three minutes into the game. Sophomore Alicia Balanesi tied the score for CMU just over a minute later on a pass from senior Stasia Burroughs. Louisville would score three unanswered goals for the win.
CMU could only notch seven shots on goal against the Cardinals while Louisville took 15 shots at freshman goalkeeper Sarah Mancuso.
“It is a learning experience anytime you have a freshman at goalkeeper,” Freese said. “But things can only get better for her.”
Junior Erica Takach said the Chippewas were the slower team against Louisville.
“They weren’t any better than us, but in that game they were always two steps ahead of us to every ball,” she said. “I know personally I had a horrible game, and the difference was they just beat us to the ball.”
When CMU did have opportunities, they could not convert.
“We couldn’t finish in the circle,” Takach said. “Louisville’s defense was good, but it’s not like we couldn’t get the ball down field. We couldn’t finish or get our shots off quicker.”
Freese said CMU needs to improve in areas of the game but she is confident the team will regroup and be ready for next weekend.
“We took one step forward Friday and three steps back Saturday,” Freese said.
The Chippewas started off MAC play with a 1-0 win against Miami Friday. Takach scored her team-leading fifth goal of the season. It was her third game-winning-goal. The goal came off of a direct shot on a penalty corner, and was assisted by seniors Michelle Fogle and Burroughs.
“Most of my goals come from corners,” Takach said. “When we are down or the score is tied, I really try to step it up.”
Freese said the Chippewas lack the ability to take control of a game for good.
“We still need to score more goals and put teams away when we have the chance,” Freese said. “We controlled the whole game against Miami, but we needed to capitalize better. Our defense carried us.”
Central had 13 shots on goal compared to four shots for Miami. The Chippewas also attempted 11 penalty corners.
Mancuso recorded her first shutout of her career in just her second start, having to make just four saves.
