Central Michigan University Athletics
Central Michigan University
Michigan State
Chippewas Fall to Spartans on the Road
9/27/2005 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
Sept. 27, 2005
MOUNT PLEASANT - A strong defensive performance in the first half by the Central Michigan University field hockey team was not enough in a 3-1 loss to No. 9-ranked Michigan State in East Lansing on Tuesday afternoon. The loss ends CMU's three-match winning streak.
The Chippewas led 1-0 at halftime, but the Spartans scored the final three goals. MSU improves to 8-3 while CMU falls to 5-4.
"I thought we were strong defensively in the first half," CMU head coach Cristy Freese said. "We had some offensively opportunities, but we need to execute our penalty corners better. Michigan State made better adjustments at halftime, and tried to use its skill players to beat us. The Spartans made a good use of their penalty corners."
In the 31st minute, Kelly Jordan scored the opening goal unassisted, her fifth goal of the season. She has scored a point in the last four matches.
"Kelly has been on a roll lately," Freese said. "She has a real nice scoring touch."
In the second half, the Spartans scored their initial goal in the 40th minute on a penalty stroke from Inge KaarsSijpestijn, the first of her two goals. Breanna Harpstead converted the next goal from Gwen Riley at 63:48. Exactly five minutes later, KaarsSijpestijn netted her second goal on a penalty corner from Maggie Giddens and Harpstead.
The loss to MSU is CMU's third straight to a Big Ten opponent. Freese believes playing a tough schedule against the Big Ten can only help CMU later in the season.
"We've played a tough non-conference schedule," Freese said. "With two games against top 10 opponents, we've played good teams to prepare us for conference play."
Spartan goalkeeper Christina Kirkaldy and Chippewa keeper Danielle Frank each made four saves.
MSU had 19 shots and nine penalty corners compared to CMU's seven shots and eight corners.
The Chippewas return home this weekend to battle both Miami and Ball State. CMU meets the RedHawks on Friday, September 30, at 2 p.m. The Chippewas face BSU on Saturday, October 1, at 1 p.m.
