Central Michigan University Athletics
Field Hockey Opens Season in St. Louis
8/31/2005 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
Aug. 31, 2005
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MOUNT PLEASANT - The Central Michigan University field hockey team looks to start the 2005 season on an excellent note with a pair of matches this weekend in St. Louis, Mo. CMU head coach Cristy Freese is pleased with the progress that her squad made during preseason camp, and is anxious to get a look at her team on the field during a game.
"We've worked hard during camp," Freese said. "Now we need to play a game and see how things have come along and what things we still need to work on."
"Our team is excited to play this weekend. We've been in camp for almost three weeks, and its time to get out on the field as a unit against an opponent other than ourselves to see what we can do."
The Chippewas' first two matches will both be played in St. Louis, Mo. On Friday, Sept. 2, CMU will face off with the host school for the weekend, Saint Louis University. The following day, CMU will square off against New Hampshire in a neutral-site game at SLU's Anheuser-Busch Center. Both matches will begin at 1 p.m.
"It's going to be a challenge for us because both Saint Louis and New Hampshire have already gotten to play games before this weekend," Freese said. "For us, we need to see how our defense has jelled and come together. I like our leadership there with Kim Ferris and Laura Glaza, and with goalkeeper Danielle Frank behind them. On offense, we need players to step up and finish plays by scoring goals."
The Billikens enter Friday's match with a record of 1-0-0, having bested Mid-American Conference rival Missouri State, 2-1 in overtime.
"Saint Louis is a strong team," Freese said. "It is a senior-oriented team with a lot of experience, and it gets to play us on its home field in front of the home fans, which is always a great advantage."
New Hampshire has already played two matches on the young season, and the Wildcats came out of their opening weekend 1-1-0.
"New Hampshire is a team we don't know much about, because they're not in our region," Freese said. "I know that the Wildcats are a bit young, but they are well coached and will give us a very competitive game."
ON THE ROAD - The Chippewas are on the road the first four games this season before hosting the University of Michigan on Tuesday, September 13. After the road trip to St. Louis, CMU heads east to Evanston, Ill., where the Chippewas face Northwestern and Virginia. CMU plays Northwestern on Friday, September 9, and Virginia on Saturday, September 10. Both matches are at 1 p.m.
GREAT START - CMU will look for a strong performance from several players this weekend to get the season started on a nice note. Offensively the Chippewas will look to midfielder Erica Takach and forward Alisa Folk, who were the leading scorers on the team last year. Takach lead the team with 23 points en route to All-MAC honors in 2004, while Folk had 11 points. Defensively CMU will rely on defender Kim Ferris and goalkeeper Danielle Frank. Ferris, a second team All-MAC selection, plays from the center back spot, and Frank starts for her third straight season in goal.
SHUTOUT - In order to get into the Chippewa record book, goalkeeper Danielle Frank needs only three shutouts to tie for 10th place at eight. Frank would tie Lynn McCormick (1987-1990). Frank has five career shutouts, three of which came last season.
A BETTER LOOK AT THE BILLIKENS - Saint Louis is 1-0 after a 2-1 overtime victory over Missouri State at home on Saturday, Aug. 27. Midfielder Kristin Lueders netted the match-winning shot at 80:35 with the Billikens eighth penalty corner. The first goal came from forward Mary Henry at 5:35. Mary Wasserman was the victorious goalkeeper after saving 10 shots.
DEAD EVEN - The all-time series between CMU and SLU is deadlocked at 6-6. The last match between the Chippewas and Billikens went to CMU in September 2002. The Chippewas won 4-1 over the Billikens in St. Louis, Mo. The highlight player was former Chippewa Jocelyn Gates, who netted two goals.
GLANCING AT THE WILDCATS - New Hampshire is 1-1 heading into the matchup with CMU. The Wildcats won their second match against Sacred Heart, 5-3, on Sunday, Aug. 28, after losing to Indiana, 3-1, on Saturday. The leading scorers on the season are Kaitlyn Skelley and Katie White, with five points each. Both have two goals and one assist.
ONE DOWN - New Hampshire leads the all-time series, 1-0, against CMU. In September 1999, the Wildcats won 2-1 against the Chippewas at Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill. Kasey Hall scored the lone goal for CMU.
