Field hockey opens MAC play against Kent State, Ohio
The first four weeks of play were preparation time — time to see who brought what to the table, to see where everybody fit and to improve team chemistry.
But this weekend, it’s time for the Central Michigan women’s field hockey team to start their run for the Mid-American Conference championship, when the team hosts Kent State at 2 p.m. today and Ohio at 11 a.m. Saturday at the CMU Field Hockey Complex.
“It’s interesting because I think any freshman on the field thinks every game is intense,” said CMU head coach Cristy Freese, “But when you get to playing in conference games, the intensity gets cranked up even more.”
CMU (2-6, 0-0) had a shortened practice week because of the game today, but has focused on many parts of its game, especially shooting.
Sophomore Erin Dye leads the team in shots, recording 11 of her 30 shots last weekend.
“We felt we did some good things this past weekend, but we didn’t finish well in the circle, especially offensively,” Freese said.
In their 1-0 loss to Iowa Sunday, the team registered 11 shots but failed to get a single one on net. Between the two games, the team was only able to capitalize on one goal, a statistic that needs to improve for the team to be successful in the MAC.
Kent State (5-5, 1-1) is coming off a 4-3 overtime loss against Miami Sunday. The Golden Flashes are led by junior Debbie Bell, who has recorded 15 points this season, scoring six goals on 46 shots.
Defending MAC champion Ohio University (6-6, 2-0) is currently on a five-game winning streak, led by sophomore Taylor Brown with eight goals and 17 points.
Defensively, Ohio is allowing 1.5 goals per game compared to CMU’s 3.49 goals per game and KSU’s 2.18.
“They are two of the top opponents in the conference, but we haven’t lost a conference game yet,” Freese said. “I just want our players to relax, go out and play together and play hard. I don’t want our players to focus on our record, but to focus on today.”
All time, the team is 13-42 against KSU and 23-26-1 against Ohio, including finishing winless against both teams in 2009, a season in which the team finished 4-6 in the MAC, good four fourth.
The team stayed pretty consistent, sweeping Ball State and Missouri State while getting swept by KSU, Ohio and Miami.
CMU was eliminated in the first round of the MAC tournament, losing 2-1 against Ohio, who went on to beat Miami 2-1 and win the championship.
“All the cards are on the table, and you’re trying to win your conference and get that championship in the end,” said junior goaltender Anastasia Netto. “Everybody is going to be working harder and putting it all on the line.”
Prior to the game Saturday, CMU will honor its 1990 Mid-American Conference championship team for their 20-year reunion.
