Team’s post-season run comes to a halt against BU
Senior midfielder Erica Takach did all she could to prolong her field hockey career.
But it was not enough as CMU lost to Boston University 5-3 in the NCAA Tournament play-in game at Jack Berry Field in Cambridge, Mass. Tuesday.
The Chippewas fell behind 4-1 to BU in the first half, but the team mounted a second half rally on a second goal by Takach and one by sophomore Allyson Doan to cut the lead to 4-3. They couldn’t manage to score again, and a late goal by BU’s Amy Seaman sealed the game.
“We certainly played a much better second half,” said CMU coach Cristy Freese. “We made some halftime adjustments in terms of ‘don’t back away from them and get back to the basics.’”
The win sends Boston to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2000, while CMU finishes its season at 11-12.
CMU’s second half comeback started when Takach netted her second goal of the game on assists by senior Kim Ferris and freshman Samantha Sandham, cutting the lead to 4-2.
Doan added another goal 16 minutes later, but Seaman quickly answered with her goal, sending BU to the NCAA Tournament.
Sophomore Pam Spuehler had two goals and an assist to lead the No. 17 ranked Terriers. She scored twice in the first eight minutes to help BU to an early 3-0 lead in the first half.
Takach got the Chippewas on the board late in the first half to cut the deficit to 3-1. Ferris and Sandham assisted.
The Terriers answered a little more than a minute later as freshman Lauren Alfaro scored off a pass from Spuehler for a 4-1 lead.
“Their forward line is really fast and has good stick work,” Takach said.
Takach said the team can take many positives from its post-season run, which included the Mid-American Conference Tournament championship.
The MAC Tournament title was the team’s first since 1990. It made its run as the No. 4 seed.
“When we realized we weren’t going to win the MAC (regular-season title), we did everything we could to prolong our season as much as possible,” Takach said. “I’m proud of everyone.”
Junior goalkeeper Danielle Frank made six saves in the loss.
