CMU field hockey uses second half comeback to beat Miami (OH)
The clock read 26:30.
Only eight and half minutes into the first half and Central Michigan trailed Miami (OH) 2-0. This was not the start head coach Cristy Freese imagined.
“In the first half Miami was being more aggressive then us,” Freese said. “ They were mentally being pushed off the ball and had to make some changes to give us a shot to win.”
Despite the two-goal deficit CMU faced, there are two halves and it capitalized in the second, winning 3-2 against the RedHawks on Saturday at the CMU Field Hockey Complex.
The second half was dominated by the Chippewas.
Lee carried the ball up the sideline into the corner, passed a defender and crossed the ball from the baseline into the circle where freshman forward Cayleigh Immelman deflected the ball past the goalkeeper for her ninth goal of the season.
After two questionable false start calls, the Chippewas earned a penalty stroke. Miami (OH) head coach Inako Puzo was ejected for arguing the call with 21:42 left to play.
Immelman took the penalty stroke and lifted the ball above the goalkeeper’s outstretched glove and into the net, giving the freshman her second goal of the game and tenth of the season.
“During penalty strokes I pretend in in practice and forget all about the pressure,” Immelman said. “I focus where I want to put the ball and I hope it hit the back of the net, it usually works.”
CMU plays its last home game of the 2011 season against Ball State at 1 p.m. on Sunday at the CMU Field Hockey complex.
