Central Michigan University Athletics
CMU Ends Regular Season With Home Match
10/29/2003 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
Oct. 29, 2003
MOUNT PLEASANT - The Central Michigan University field hockey team (7-10; 5-4 Mid-American Conference) wraps up its regular season schedule this weekend with a home match against Ball State.
The Chippewas will host the Cardinals on Friday, Oct. 31, in Kelly/Shorts Stadium at 2 p.m.
CMU currently sits in a tie for third place in the Mid-American Conference standings. Joining CMU with a 5-4 conference record is this weekend's opponent, Ball State. Kent State currently holds down first place with a one-match advantage over second-place Louisville. The Golden Flashes play at Miami and Louisville this weekend. Louisville's other match will be at home against Ohio. CMU needs beat Ball State and have Kent State lose both its matches and Louisville to lose to Ohio to earn a share of the MAC title.
The CMU defense has played well of late, anchored by Amy Kauffman (Dauphin, Pa./Jr.). CMU has allowed only four goals in its last four MAC matches after allowing 12 in its first five matches. Kauffman leads the nation in defensive saves with 14 this season.
Another reason CMU has had success on defense is the play of goalkeeper Danielle Frank (Williamsville, N.Y./Fr.). A true freshman, she struggled to adjust in the beginning of the season, recording a 4.10 goals against average and a .640 save percentage in non-conference matches. Frank has shined of late with a 1.64 GAA and a .780 save percentage in MAC play. She has a record of 5-2 in conference play.
SCOUTING THE CARDINALS - Ball State enters its match with CMU with the same MAC record as the Chippewas. In the first meeting between the two teams, CMU jumped out to an early 3-0 lead, but the Cardinals came back to win the match in overtime, 4-3.
Afton Hess had a hat trick in that match for Ball State. Hess leads the MAC in goals and points with 16 goals and 40 points scored. She ranks ninth in the nation in goals and 11th in points. She was named the MAC "Offensive Player of the Week" this week, the third time she has won the award this year. CMU has beaten Ball State six of the last eight times they have met.
HEAD COACH FREESE ON BALL STATE - "The match with Ball State will be important because of the significance its carries in terms of seeding for the MAC tournament. I think our team will be focused because even though we are disappointed about losing to Kent State last weekend, our squad has done a nice job of bouncing back after tough losses.
"I am happy with how our defense is playing, especially with goalkeeper Danielle Frank. Playing in goal as a freshman is tough, but Danielle has made a good transition to the position and has really stepped up her game of late. The whole defense seems to be playing much better because I think they have finally bonded together. The play of our defense will be key these final weeks, so I am glad they are starting to play well."
HOMESTAND RECAP - CMU went 1-1 in its two road matches last weekend, beating Ohio and falling to Kent State.
CMU won its third straight match with a victory at Ohio University on Friday, Oct. 24, 3-1. The match was similiar to the first meeting between the two teams with Ohio taking an early lead and then the Chippewas scoring three unanswered goals to earn the victory. Scoring goals for CMU were: Tarah Trottier (Kitchener, Ont./Sr.), Kristy Reed (South Wales, N.Y./Jr.) and Erica Takach (Duncannon, Pa./So.).
Ohio took an early lead with a goal by Elizabeth Holtzman and assists by Kristen Hann and Chelsea Mearig. The Bobcats controled the action in the first half, out shooting CMU, 12-1, and holding the advantage in penalty corners, 7-2.
The CMU offense got on track at the 47th minute of the match when Trottier tied the score at one. The Chippewas took the lead 12 minutes later with a goal by Reed, her team-leading 10th of the season. Her goal was assisted by Takach. Takach closed out the scoring with a goal in the 65th minute. Her goal was assisted by Allison Foland (Springfield, Ohio/Sr.).
Danielle Frank had another strong outing, making 11 saves in the victory. Jennifer Cote made three saves for Ohio.
CMU fell to conference leader Kent State on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2-1.
Kent State got an early lead with a goal in the eighth minute by Kate Perry. CMU answered with a goal by Reed on a penalty stoke in the 32nd minute. The goal was Reed's 11th this season, which leads the team.
Kent State got the game winner less then 10 seconds after Reed's goal when Berber Rischen scored unassisted.
Danielle Frank played the entire match in goal for CMU, making five saves. Jessica Creeden went the distance for KSU, making four saves. The Golden Flashes held the advantage in shots, 14-10, while CMU held the advantage in penalty corners, 6-5.
TROTTIER NAMED TO ALL-STAR TEAM - CMU field hockey player Tarah Trottier has been selected to play for the north squad in the National Field Hockey Coaches Association senior all-star match. The match is set to take place at the University of Massachusetts on Saturday, Nov. 22, at 7:30 p.m.
Trottier is second on the team in goals and points. She has 10 goals this season and 24 points. Her 10 goals ties her for 10th best in CMU history for goals in a season. This is the second straight season that CMU has had a player selected to play in the match. Meg Lewis played in the contest last year. Trottier is one of five Mid-American Conference players to be selected and the only MAC player on the north squad.
