Central Michigan University Athletics
Field Hockey Journeys to Kent State for MAC Tournament
11/4/2008 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
MOUNT PLEASANT The Central Michigan field hockey team hopes to carry its hot streak in Mid-American Conference play over to the MAC Tournament this week in Kent, Ohio.
The Chippewas (7-11, 6-4 MAC) enter the conference tournament as the fourth seed and take on fifth-seeded Ball State in quarterfinal action on Thursday at 11 a.m.
CMU has built up plenty of momentum in the MAC, winning six of its last seven league contests. Head coach Cristy Freese hopes this stretch can lead Central to a third MAC Tournament title.
“We played well in the second half of the season, just like the previous teams that won the tournament,” Freese said. “Our defensive game has developed nicely and we are getting solid goaltending on a consistent basis.”
The Cardinals ended the regular season with a 2-16 record and only a 1-9 mark in the MAC. Ball State averaged the fewest goals scored (1.39) and most goals allowed (3.83) in the conference this season. Central finished fourth in the MAC in both categories with 38 goals scored and 51 goals allowed. CMU swept BSU in the two meetings this year, winning 3-1 on Oct. 11 in Muncie, Ind. and 4-2 last Saturday in Mount Pleasant.
“We can not go into this game expecting to win by just showing up or we will be in trouble,” Freese said. “All the regular season meetings count for is seeding, so we have to maintain the focus we showed last weekend.”
These programs faced each other in the MAC Tournament quarterfinals last year. Kim Erasmus scored in the 49th minute to give Central all the offense it would need in a 1-0 victory. The Chippewas are 19-38 all-time against the Cardinals, but have won three straight in the series.
If Central advances, they will face top-seeded Kent State at noon on Friday. The Chippewas lost both meetings to the Golden Flashes this season, falling 4-3 on the road Sept. 27 along with a 5-2 setback at home on Oct. 17. If CMU advances past the semifinal round, it will play in the finals at 1 p.m. on Saturday.
Live stats for the entire tournament can be found on mac-sports.com.
CMU News and Notes
CMU In the MAC Tournament - Thursday will be the 34th match the Chippewas have played in the MAC Tournament. CMU holds a 17-16 all-time tournament record and a 10-6 mark in the quarterfinal round. The Chippewas have won the MAC Tournament twice (1990 and 2005) and reached the final round on three other occasions (1987, 1989 and 1995).
Movin’ On Up - Senior midfielder Samantha Sandham will go down as one of the best players to wear maroon and gold. The school’s all-time assists leader (32) added a pair of helpers in Saturday’s victory over Ball State to give her 102 career points (third all-time at CMU), only one behind Cheryl Eglin for second on the school’s career chart.
Shutting it Down - The Chippewas are showing improvement on the back end. CMU has allowed two goals or less in eight of its last 10 matches, a span that included its first two shutouts of the season. Central held opponents to two goals or less only three times in its first eight matches, allowing 32 goals in that span (4.0 per match).
Going Streaking - Samantha Sandham has been Central’s top offensive performer this year and she has improved as the year has gone on. Sandham was kept off the scoresheet in four of Central’s first six matches, totaling nine points. In the last 12 contests, she has put up at least one point in nine for a total of 22 points in that span.
Curran Steps Up - After splitting time between the pipes to begin the season, junior goalkeeper Melinda Curran has firmly entrenched herself atop the depth chart with her play recently. In her first five appearances (two starts), Curran was 0-2 with a 3.25 goals against average and .471 save percentage. In her past 10 starts, she is 6-4 with a 1.78 goals against average, .746 save percentage and two shutouts (the first of her collegiate career).
