CMU field hockey drops final two games of road trip
Central Michigan University junior forward Carolena Ryon turns with the ball before passing it to sophomore defender Pleun Van Gent during the field hockey game at Cristy Freese Field, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026. (CM-Life | Jasmine Brookins)
Game 1
Central Michigan field hockey came up short against Appalachian State University in the second of its three straight road games, falling 5-0 on Friday, Oct. 16.
The Appalachian State Mountaineers got going early, with freshman Chloe Hook scoring off an assist from her twin sister Morgan Hook.
CMU's defense and goalkeeper Jenna Billig were able to keep the Mountaineers out of the net for the rest of the first half.
Early in the third quarter, Chloe Hook scored again, this time off an assist from Kassie Paul.
Appalachian State senior Sophia Baxter, who has started in every Mountaineer field hockey game since 2023, scored unassisted about six minutes later.
Baxter capitalized on a penalty by adding another Mountaineer goal in the third quarter.
Baxter completed her first career hat trick and added her 25th career goal when she scored with just over six and a half minutes left in the game. Carlotta Fabian and Madie Baker combined on the assist. It was the second assist of the season for both Fabian and Baker .
It was during the third quarter that Appalachian State pulled away, attempting six shots in the quarter. During the game, CMU attempted five shots on goal and also attempted two corners, both in the second quarter.
Billig had three saves. Freshman Judith Van Aartsen played the fourth quarter in what was her fifth appearance of the season in the net.
Cameron Pluciennik led CMU with three shots on goal during the contest. Molly Claus, AJ Walker and Pleun Van Gent played all 60 minutes.
Appalachian State is now 7-7 this season, bouncing back after two straight shutout losses. The Mountaineers also sit at .500 in conference play with a record of 3-3.
Game 2
CMU continued its road trip on Sunday, Oct. 18. The Chippewas entered the day looking for their first win against James Madison, but were defeated 3-1.
The four goals were scored by four different players, and it was Ava Drexler-Amey who scored first for James Madison. Drexler-Amey, a member of the 2025 All-Mid American Conference Second Team, scored her fifth career goal about eight minutes into the game.
Mika Hilburger put the Dukes up by two just over a minute into the second half.
JMU added to its lead in the fourth quarter in the form of a Brynna Hill unassisted goal. Hill has played in every JMU game since she joined the program before the 2023 season.
Late in the fourth quarter, Central Michigan got on the board. Annabelle Cotroneo scored, now having scored on three of her four shots on goal this season.
Van Aartsen got the start at goalkeeper for CMU and played all 60 minutes. She finished with nine saves.
JMU has moved up to third place in the MAC while CMU is now in eighth place. CMU has two games remaining in the regular season. Both will come at home where the Chippewas have a 4-2 record. CMU is now 4-12 this year overall and 2-5 in conference play.
The Chippewas will be back at home to face Bellarmine University on Friday, Oct. 23, at 2 p.m.
