Central Michigan University Athletics
Chippewas Set to Host MAC Field Hockey Tournament
11/1/2005 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
Nov. 1, 2005
Complete Release, Including Statistics and MAC Standings, in PDF Format
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MOUNT PLEASANT -- The Mid-American Conference's six field hockey teams descend on Mount Pleasant this week for the 2005 MAC Tournament this Thursday through Saturday, Nov. 3-5.
The Central Michigan University Chippewas (8-11, 5-5 Mid-American) are the No. 4 seed and open play on Thursday at noon against No. 5 Missouri State (4-14, 3-7 Mid-American).
All matches will be held at the CMU Field Hockey Complex with two quarterfinals set for Thursday, two semifinals on Friday, and the finals on Saturday at 2 p.m. The tournament champion will travel to the America East Conference winner for a play-in game, with the winner of that contest advancing to the 16-team NCAA Championships.
Regular season champion Kent State is the top-seeded team with Ohio earning the No. 2 seed, Miami No. 3, and Ball State No. 6.
"We're excited to be at home hosting this tournament," Chippewa coach Cristy Freese said. "We played two good matches last weekend and ended the regular season on a high note with the win over Ohio."
CMU, which hasn't hosted the tournament since 1997, has a group of four seniors that are looking to extend their collegiate careers as long as possible. The Chippewa seniors are back Kim Ferris, forward Alisa Folk, back Laura Glaza, and midfielder Erica Takach. The seniors have started every match together this season.
"We're looking to our seniors this week," Freese said. "Our team has a great deal of respect for our senior class and we know that helped us get the win on senior day this past Saturday.
"Overall, I think this will be an interesting, competitive tournament. All the teams are close together. At different points during the season, each team demonstrated that they could beat the top team in the standings that given week."
Tickets for the tournament are $5 per day or $10 for an all tournament pass. MAC college students with ID and youth are $3 per day. Parking is available in Lot 64 west of the football stadium on Thursday and Friday. Due to a home football game on Saturday, parking will be offered in Lot 61 west of Rose Arena for the finals.
2005 Mid-American Conference Field Hockey Tournament
CMU Field Hockey Complex -- Mount Pleasant, Mich.
Thursday, Nov. 3
Game 1 -- No. 4 Central Michigan vs. No. 5 Missouri State, noon
Game 2 -- No. 3 Miami vs. No. 6 Ball State, 2:30 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 4
Game 3 -- No. 1 Kent State vs. Game 1 Winner, noon
Game 4 -- No. 2 Ohio vs. Game 2 Winner, 2:30 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 5
Game 5 -- Game 3 Winner vs. Game 4 Winner, 2 p.m.
CMU'S FIRST-ROUND OPPONENT
Missouri State Bears
(4-14, 3-7 Mid-American)
Thursday, November 3
noon
CMU Field Hockey Complex
This is MSU's first season in the Mid-American Conference and the MAC Tournament... enters the tournament as the No. 5 seed with a 4-13 record, 3-7 in the MAC... coming off a 4-3 overtime victory over Miami on Friday and a 3-2 loss to Ball State on Sunday ... CMU leads the all-time series 11-10-1... the Chippewas are 2-0 against MSU this season... Liz Miyashita is the leading scorer with 16 points... Bear keeper Kim Kinsella allows 3.36 goals against average.
MATCH RECAPS
Kent State 2, at Central Michigan 1
Chippewa Kelly Jordan scored on the first shot of the game, but it would be the lone CMU goal. CMU kept KSU shotless for the first 25 minutes, but still couldn't outshoot the Golden Flashes as they edged the Chippewas in shots (18 to 8). CMU keeper Danielle Frank made a season-high 13 saves, but reigning MAC Defensive Player of the Week, KSU keeper Linz Markwart, allowed one less goal than Frank.
at Central Michigan 3, Ohio 2
Senior back Laura Glaza tallied her first career goal when she slipped a penalty stroke past Bobcat keeper Jennifer Cote. Alicia Balanesi and Alisa Folk concluded the regular season with a goal each, and Erica Takach added her 13th assist of the season. Chippewa goalkeeper Danielle Frank made six saves in the win.
NOTES
Chippewa History in the MAC Tournament: In the 18 seasons of the Mid-American Conference Tournament, the Chippewas only have won it once: 1990. CMU beat Ball State in a 3-2 overtime victory that year when the Cardinals hosted the MAC Tournament. The Chippewas have reached the final round four times, but haven't reached the last round since 1995 when they lost to BSU, 3-0. In last season's tournament, the Chippewas lost in the first round to Miami, 1-0.
Bring On Overtime: The Chippewas concluded the regular season with a 4-1 overtime record. CMU beat Virginia, Vermont, Missouri State, and Miami. The lone loss in overtime came in the first match to Miami this season.
Road Woes: The Chippewas had a hard time winning on the road this season as they were 1-7 in true road matches. The lone road victory came in a 2-1 overtime win over Miami. On the other hand, CMU was 3-0 in neutral site games this year.
Three is Key: When the CMU offense generated at least three goals on the scoreboard it was 6-1. The lone loss came when the Chippewas dropped a 5-3 loss to Kent State.
Among the Greatest: Senior midfielder Erica Takach's 13 assists this year ties for third all-time on the CMU single-season list. For her career, Takach's 18 assists tie her for eighth place all-time. She currently has 56 career points and 19 goals. Takach was one of only three MAC players selected to play in the NFHCA Senior All-Star Game at the University of Louisville on November 19, and she will represent the North squad.
A Season to Remember: Junior forward Alicia Balanesi scored CMU's second goal against Ohio last Saturday giving her a team-high 23 points this season. In her previous two seasons combined, Balanesi had just 14 total points.
Going Out with a Bang: Prior to the regular season finale with Ohio, senior back Laura Glaza had never scored a point at CMU. Glaza's concentration had been on the defensive side of the ball where she led the team's position players with four defensive saves. Chippewa head coach Cristy Freese acknowledged that Glaza had the best stroke on the team, and Freese had Glaza take a penalty stroke against Ohio on Sunday when the score was tied 2-2. Glaza shot the ball past Ohio keeper Jennifer Cote into the left side of the cage, and she netted her first career goal, the game-winner. As a result, CMU finished conference play with a .500 record.
Experience Makes a Difference: Senior back Kim Ferris has been in nearly every starting lineup the last three seasons. She has started every match but one since her freshman year, against Ohio State in 2004. She also started seven games her freshman year. All in all, she has started 64 matches, the most of any current Chippewa.
Eight is Great: Senior forward Alisa Folk finished the regular season with eight goals after notching a goal and an assist against Ohio last Saturday. She has 17 points, tied for third on the team. Folk currently has 37 career points.
Double the Trouble: Sophomores Allyson and Jessyca Doan each have played an important role for the Chippewas this season. Allyson has scored three goals with 15 starts and Jessyca has been a threat on the defensive side while starting 13 times.
Fabulous Freshmen: CMU relied heavily on two freshmen to score large offensive numbers in just their first season. Forward Kelly Jordan concluded the regular season with 17 points, tied for third on the team. She had seven goals and three assists. She scored the lone goal in a 2-1 loss to Kent State last Friday. Midfielder Samantha Sandham also had a great first year with her 14 points, fifth on the team. She had four goals and six assists. A third freshman who contributed offensively was forward Amanda Lucik, who had three points with one goal and an assist.
On the Defensive: Goalkeeper Danielle Frank played every minute in goal for CMU this season. She tallied one shutout on the year and that came against Missouri State, CMU's first-round opponent on Thursday.
Another Keeper: Junior midfielder Erin Dottery came up with a defensive save in the 2-1 loss to Kent State last Saturday. She finished the regular season with three defensive saves and added one goal as well.
