Field hockey faces tough road test
Taking harder and quicker shots is the key for the field hockey team this weekend as it plays its next seven games on the road.
Central plays at Ball State Saturday at 2 p.m. and then will travel to Ohio State at 1 p.m. Sunday.
The Chippewas are 1-1 in the MAC and 4-4 overall. They are the only team in the conference with .500 record or better.
“We have worked hard on taking harder and quicker shots in practice,” said coach Cristy Freese. “We need to put the goalkeeper under more pressure.”
The players know they must capitalize on more shots if they are to win on the road.
“We have done a lot of shooting drills and tip drills to try and get the offense going,” said sophomore Erin Dottery. “The second chance after the initial shot is important to get.”
Freese said the production out of the forward line needs to improve.
“Our entire forward lines need to step up,” Freese said. “I don’t want to put the pressure on one person, but we need to create opportunities.”
Junior forward Alisa Folk scored seven goals last season and figured to be one of the teams top goal scorers this season, but she has yet to score a goal.
The Chippewas leading returning goal scorer, senior Kristy Reed, has only scored one goal this season.
Central has lost three of its last four games, but the team is not discouraged by the rough stretch.
“We come in with a positive attitude every practice and work hard so we can come back and play well this weekend,” Dottery said.
Ball State is 2-7 overall, but is in first place in the MAC at 2-0. Central hasn’t played the Buckeyes since 2000, when OSU won 9-0.
