Central Michigan University Athletics
Quick Strikes Lift Chippewas Over Missouri State 2-0
10/26/2008 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. Tara Schiltz and Alison Kist scored goals 27 seconds apart while Melinda Curran posted her second shutout of the season to lift the Central Michigan field hockey team to victory on Sunday.
The Chippewas (6-10, 5-4 Mid-American) blanked the Missouri State Bears, 2-0, at Plaster Field to sweep the weekend series.
CMU drew first blood 18:01 into the contest when Samantha Sandham set up Schiltz’s third goal in as many matches, putting Central up 1-0. Sandham created another tally at the 18:28 mark when she found Kist for an open net tap in to extend the Chippewas’ lead to two going into halftime.
“I’ve given Tara more responsibility on the offensive end since moving her to midfield,” head coach Cristy Freese said. “She has responded well with goals in three straight contests.”
The Chippewas dominated in the second half, outshooting the Bears 11-3 while owning a 7-1 advantage in penalty corners. The defensive effort kept Missouri State from mounting any kind of rally in the final 35 minutes.
“I thought we played much better defensively than we did yesterday,” Freese said. “We made adjustments in the second half to keep Missouri State from making passes to begin any counterattacks. Our veterans, especially the seniors, have stepped up and performed well as a unit.”
The win moves CMU over .500 in MAC play for the first time this season as it has won five of its last six league contests.
In her eighth consecutive start in goal, Curran stopped all seven shots she faced to register her second shutout in her past three starts. She has allowed only one goal in that span.
The Chippewas return home to wrap up their conference slate when they face the Ball State Cardinals on Saturday, Nov. 1 at the CMU Field Hockey Complex.
