Field hockey clinches No. 3 seed in tourney
The field hockey team secured the No. 3 seed in the Mid-American Conference Tournament despite falling 2-1 to Kent State Saturday.
The Chippewas will face Miami University in the first round Thursday at Ball State. Miami finished with a conference record of 1-9.
Central finished the regular season 5-5 in the MAC and 8-10 overall.
Kent State shared the MAC regular season title with Louisville.
“In the tournament anyone is dangerous and Miami, despite its record, has been playing very well defensively,” coach Cristy Freese said. “Miami is in an enviable situation because it can play with nothing expected of them.”
CMU had numerous chances to score as it outshot KSU 16-8 and had a 11-3 penalty corner advantage.
The Golden Flashes took the lead early in the first half on a goal from Kate McGowan.
Senior Kristy Reed tied the game at one early in the second half.
“She has been doing good things other than scoring all season,” Freese said of Reed. “Now she is really starting to play well in all areas, especially on corner shots.”
Elizabeth Lahey scored the match-winner in the 55th minute.
CMU sophomore goalkeeper Danielle Frank made five saves in the game, while her counterpart Linz Markwart made 10.
Reed said despite the loss the team is starting to play its best field hockey of the season.
“Even though it is the end of the season, we are starting to gel,” Reed said.
Central held off a late comeback from Ohio to win 2-1 Friday.
“We had more opportunities than the ones we converted on,” Freese said.
CMU outshot Ohio 15-6 and had a penalty corner advantage, 9-4.
Reed scored to take a 1-0 lead in the middle of the first half on an assist from junior Erica Takach.
Kristen Hann scored a goal with five minutes remaining to pull within one, but the Bobcats could not put another goal past Frank.
Takach again assisted on the match-winning goal by sophomore Erin Dottery. Takach ends the regular season scoring 10 goals and three assists.
Central scored both its goals on the penalty corner, where Freese said Central gains an advantage against the opponent.
“When the goalkeeper goes down to make the save we get a lot of rebound opportunities,” Freese said. “That is an area where we can gain an advantage.”
Reed said the home crowd was important in the win because it got the team fired up.
“It helps playing at home because when we hear the crowd cheer we get a rush of adrenaline,” she said.
