Central Michigan University Athletics
Field Hockey Finishes Road Trip this Weekend
10/20/2009 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
Live Stats at Kent State | Live Stats at Ohio
MOUNT PLEASANT — With only two weeks left until the Mid-American Conference Tournament, the Central Michigan field hockey team has an important weekend in store as it tries to climb the conference standings.
The Chippewas conclude their six-match road trip this weekend when they travel to MAC foes Kent State (Saturday at 1 p.m.) and Ohio (Sunday at 1 p.m.).
CMU (4-10, 2-4 Mid-American) picked up its second MAC win of the season last Friday when it defeated Ball State, 4-0, in Muncie, Ind. The win gave the Chippewas the season sweep over the Cardinals. Central was unable to sweep its weekend in Muncie, falling to Longwood, 1-0, in a neutral-site match on Saturday.
Central’s 1.91 goals against average leads the MAC, but the offense is producing only 1.50 goals per contest.
“Our offense has to get it done,” head coach Cristy Freese said. “Being the top defensive team in the conference is great, but it doesn’t matter if you aren’t scoring enough goals.”
Kent State is pacing the MAC with a 6-1 league record and a 9-6 overall mark. The Golden Flashes are tied for the conference lead at 2.71 goals per match while their 2.58 goals against average ranks fourth in the MAC.
Central is 13-41 all-time against Kent State. KSU claimed the school’s first meeting this season, 2-1, in Mount Pleasant on Oct. 2.
“Kent State is a very good offensive team,” Freese said. “When we played them, the penalty corner was a big difference. Both of their goals came off of corner plays.”
After a 1-5 start against tough competition, Ohio is now 7-7 and is tied with Miami for second in the MAC standings at 5-2. The Bobcats have won four straight league contests. OU sports the league’s second best goals against average (2.03), but is only fourth in the MAC in scoring (1.54)
Sunday’s meeting will be the 59th meeting between CMU and OU, with the Bobcats owning a 34-23-1 advantage. Ohio defeated Central, 2-1, in the team’s previous meeting in Mount Pleasant on Oct. 3.
“Ohio is a solid defensive team,” Freese said. “I think Longwood played a similar style to them defensively, but again we have to execute on the penalty corner offensively and stop the other team’s penalty corner at the other end.”
Results will be available on cmuchippewas.com following both matches.
CMU News and Notes
Shutting it Down — Defense has been the calling card of the CMU field hockey team in 2009. The Chippewas have allowed two goals or less in 10 of their 14 contests and their 1.91 goals against average is the best figure in the MAC.
Don’t Call it a Comeback — Senior Kelly Jordan has made an instant impact in her return to the lineup. After missing the 2008 campaign due to injury, the Burt, N.Y., native is pacing the Chippewas’ attack with six goals (t-eighth in the MAC), eight assists (t-fifth), 20 points (t-fifth) and 65 shots (third). Jordan is also climbing up CMU’s career-scoring list with her comeback season, amassing 86 career points (t-fifth all-time at CMU) on 32 goals (t-seventh) and 22 assists (t-sixth).
Great in Goal — Senior Melinda Curran has been a steady presence in the Chippewas’ net this season. Curran leads all MAC keepers with a .771 save percentage, the 14th-best figure in the country, while her 1.93 goals against average ranks second in the conference.
