Field hockey splits in first home games
The field hockey team salvaged its complex-opening weekend with a 2-1 victory against Ball State Saturday.
Prior to the win against the Cardinals, coach Cristy Freese put a lot of pressure on the team’s veterans to step up and lead.
It worked, as juniors Alisa Folk and Erica Takach each scored amid windy and rainy conditions.
“I give them a lot of credit responding and reacting today,” Freese said. “We executed our game plan better.”
Central (7-8, 4-4 MAC) opened their home venue with a 2-0 loss to Indiana Friday.
In Saturday’s game, BSU’s Chantelle Isaac scored first on a first-half penalty corner.
Central answered in the first minute of the second half on a goal by Takach off a penalty corner, with assists from seniors Michelle Fogle and Stasia Burroughs.
Folk scored the match-winner on a tip-in off a crossing pass assisted by freshman Allyson Doan.
• CMU vs. Indiana, 2-0
• CMU vs. Ball State, 2-1
Goalkeeper Danielle Frank kept Central in the game in the first half by making many kick saves and diving stops. Frank made eleven saves.
“She can handle anything and she really carried the team in the first half,” Freese said. “Our whole defense really stepped up.”
CMU outshot Ball State 11-10 and held a 10-9 penalty corner advantage. Central had seven corners in the second half.
Indiana converted on two penalty strokes to score Friday.
“We created those opportunities ourselves,” said Indiana coach Amy Robertson. “We attacked the goal and converted on the two strokes.”
CMU had many opportunities to score, but couldn’t capitalize on open shots.
“I thought in the first 15 minutes we controlled the game, but then they started attacking and playing more aggressive than we did,” Freese said.
CMU got its first penalty corner of the game early in the second half and junior Erica Takach hit the post.
“I am upset with the offense,” Freese said. “We played well enough to score a goal, but our older players need to start coming through.”
Central plays California today in Ann Arbor.
