Central Michigan University
Miami (Ohio)
Field Hockey Tops Miami in OT, 2-1
10/21/2005 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
Oct. 21, 2005
OXFORD, Ohio - It took clutch performances in overtime by forward Alicia Balanesi and goalkeeper Danielle Frank for the Central Michigan University field hockey team to notch a 2-1 overtime victory over Miami and end a four-match losing skid.
CMU won its first true road match of the season with the Miami victory, and the Chippewas are now 4-1 in overtime matches this season. CMU's lone OT loss this season was a 2-1 setback to Miami earlier in Mount Pleasant.
The Chippewas improve to 7-9, 4-3 in the Mid-American Conference while Miami drops to 7-9, 4-4 in the MAC.
CMU head coach Cristy Freese believes the Chippewas are back on track to compete for the conference crown.
"The team was very excited to get back on track with the win," Freese said. "We are still in the MAC title race. We're definitely ready for tomorrow's match against a tough Ball State team."
The RedHawks tallied the first goal of the game in just the 10th minute when Alyssa Nye converted on a pass from Meredith Corradino. However, Frank stopped Miami from getting on the scoreboard the rest of the match.
CMU tied it when Alisa Folk intercepted a pass from a Miami defender, and she immediately shot the ball past Miami keeper Kerri Orr in the 49th minute.
"Alisa came up big today, intercepting several Miami passes," Freese said. "We were able to score from her contribution."
With less than five minutes left in overtime, Balanesi had a breakaway against Orr and she netted the game-winning goal underneath the keeper. It was her team-high eighth goal of the year.
Freese was proud of Balanesi scoring the goal, but she also credited Frank in the overtime victory.
"Danielle came up with some big saves today," Freese said. "She made the key stop in overtime."
Frank was the victorious keeper with five saves, and Orr had four saves in the loss.
CMU edged Miami in shots (20 to nine) and penalty corners (8 to 6).
The Chippewas take on Ball State tomorrow in Muncie, Ind., at 1 p.m.
