OU’s eyes ‘Glazed’ over
Senior back Laura Glaza couldn’t have picked a better time to score her first career field hockey goal.
Coach Cristy Freese sent the senior to attempt a crucial penalty stroke with 14:03 remaining in the second half Saturday against Ohio. Glaza faced off against Bobcats goalkeeper Jennifer Cote with a chance to put CMU ahead.
She had not attempted a penalty stroke all season, but it didn’t show as she beat Cote on her right side, giving CMU a 3-2 lead and the eventual win.
“Laura’s our best stroker,” Freese said. “She’s good at it and as far as I’m concerned it’s a tough pressure situation. She’s on defense the whole time so that’s a little change of pace for her. We have a great deal of confidence in Laura’s stroke.”
CMU improves to 8-11 overall and 5-5 in the Mid-American Conference with the season ending win.
The win sends it into the MAC Tournament on a winning note after losing six of seven games prior to Saturday.
“It’s a great way to end the regular season and head into the MAC Tournament,” Freese said. “It proves we can beat (the top teams in the MAC).”
Ohio forward Torrie Albini, the MAC’s leading scorer, put her team up 1-0 with her first of two goals off a deflection from back Amanda Arnold.
The Chippewas answered when senior forward Alisa Folk netted her eighth goal of the season off a deflection from senior Erica Takach.
Junior Alicia Balanesi gave CMU the lead on an unassisted goal.
The lead didn’t last long before Albini struck again with 16 minutes left, setting the stage for Glaza’s game-winner.
Kent State clinched the MAC title with Friday’s 2-1 win. CMU came out aggressive as freshman forward Kelly Jordan scored on a pass from Takach.
The Golden Flashes picked up their play after that, outshooting the Chippewas 18-8 despite not registering a shot the first 25 minutes of the game.
Kent State midfielder Liz Fettrow scored both goals. CMU junior goalkeeper Danielle Frank made a season-high 13 saves in the loss.
“We had to adjust our game plan in the second half in order to win this game,” said KSU coach Kerry DeVries. “We had to move some attacking players into the backfield.”
CMU hosts the MAC Tournament Thursday.
