Field hockey lose at No.14 Michigan, fall to Bucknell in overtime
Central Michigan field hockey experienced two losses this weekend, though they happened in contrasting fashion.
The Chippewas were dominated 5-0 on Friday by the No.14 Wolverines and then lost 2-1 in overtime to Bucknell.
“Michigan’s a great team, they have a great passing game and they have some strong players,” captain Paulina Lee said. “I think we can match them if we play are A-game.”
The performance against U of M was a far cry from scoring four-plus goals in two-straight games for the first time since 2005.
Freese pointed to many missed chances on offense, including a shot off the post.
“We have to be opportunistic with the opportunities that we have because we know we’re playing a much better defense then we did last weekend,” Freese said.
Michigan forward Michelle Roberts tallied the first goal and another tip-in before the half, increasing the lead to 3-0.
“I thought we did some good things in spurts, but against a team like Michigan, you have to play well for 70 minutes,” Freese said. “Certainly were disappointed with a loss, but we can take a lot out of it.”
Bucknell
The Chippewas slipped up in overtime to Bucknell, allowing a goal two minutes into overtime, losing 2-1.
“I was disappointed in today’s game,” Freese said. “We’re a good enough team to beat Bucknell, but we didn’t get the job done, so we have to recognize we can do better than that.”
Chippewas freshman Cayleigh Immelman scored on a penalty corner for the only CMU goal, coming in the third minute of play.
It was CMU’s second goal of the season from the corner, marking Immelman’s third goal in four starts.
“Cayleigh comes in with a lot of experience, so it’s not surprising to me to see her do that,” Freese said. ”In terms of her playing experience, she really comes in here as a junior.”
During a Bison’s penalty corner involving a block by a Chippewas defender and a save by CMU goalie Anastasia Netto, Bison player Kate Bowen tied the game off a rebound in the 42nd minute.
Two minutes later CMU senior Brooke Sihota was given a yellow card, but the Chippewas survived to force overtime, despite being down a player.
“Overall, we handled it defensively being down 11 players to 10 players, but I think that was 15 minutes we could have had more offense on the field,” Freese said.
After 28 minutes of scoreless play, CMU entered its first extra-session of play since a loss to Ball State on Oct. 9 last season, 3-2.
Bucknell won it just 2:24 in the sudden death overtime to clinch the victory on a goal from Rachel Misko.
At 1 p.m. Saturday, CMU plays Iowa, marking the second consecutive week the Chippewas play a Big Ten team.
Freese hopes CMU will be more mentally focused, moving forward on defense after allowing numerous penalty corners in the last two games.
“I just feel overall that a little more composure on defense will lead to better offensive opportunities,” Freese said.
