Back on the road again
One thing the field hockey team is used to is playing on the road.
CMU, which played all but four of its games away from Mount Pleasant last season, opens its season at St. Louis University Friday and New Hampshire Saturday. Both games are in St. Louis.
“Opening on the road really isn’t a big deal,” said coach Cristy Freese. “It will be nice to get away from campus this weekend, since there will be so many distractions with tailgating and the football game.”
Freese enters her 20th year as the CMU coach, but one thing remains constant — she’s still nervous before every season.
“We can’t wait to get onto the field,” Freese said. “The team worked hard to get ready for this season and it shows. Our seniors are being great leaders and everyone is communicating on the field. We have a lot of strength at mid-field and hopefully that can help our young defense.”
The Billikens are 1-0 this season and are coming off a 2-1 overtime victory against Missouri State.
Sophomore Kristin Lueders scored the game winner on a penalty corner.
Freese said it is important for CMU to get off to a strong start.
“The first 10-15 minutes of the game are going to be huge,” Freese said. “St. Louis has a veteran team and home field advantage. We cannot let them gain momentum or get set on offense.”
CMU returns leading scorers seniors Erica Takach and Alisa Folk, as well as junior goalkeeper Danielle Frank.
New Hampshire enters the game with a record of 1-1 and is led by senior co-captains Kaitlyn Skelley and Katie White. Skelley and White have amassed five points each through two games.
“New Hampshire is somewhat like us; they are led by some good seniors, but have a very young team,” Freese said. “It should be a very competitive game.”
The Chippewas will be without starting forward sophomore Allyson Doan, who is out because of an injury. Doan’s absence and other minor injuries will test CMU’s bench.
“We’re not as healthy as I would like to be,” Takach said. “Many of the girls have some kind of minor injury, but everyone is staying tough and working through them. The freshmen have been awesome in practice and will have to carry that onto the field this weekend.”
