Central Michigan University Athletics
Field Hockey Finishes Regular Season at Home
10/27/2009 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
Live Stats | Live Blog vs. Michigan | Live Blog vs. Missouri State (10/31) | Live Blog vs. Missouri State (11/1)
MOUNT PLEASANT — After playing 12 of its first 16 matches on the road, the Central Michigan field hockey team returns home for its final three contests of the regular season this week.
The Chippewas (4-12, 2-6 Mid-American) play a non-conference match against Michigan on Wednesday at 3 p.m. before wrapping up their season with two contests against MAC foe Missouri State on Saturday (1 p.m.) and Sunday (noon).
CMU hopes to end the regular season on a high note and build some momentum for next week’s MAC Tournament.
Michigan enters play this week with a 7-11 overall record and a 2-3 mark in the Big Ten. The Wolverines are fifth in the Big Ten in scoring (2.25 goals per match) while their 1.93 goals against average ranks fourth. UM has dropped four of its past five decisions, all by one goal. Central holds a 15-27-2 all-time record against Michigan.
“This is a bit of a transition year by Michigan’s standards,” head coach Cristy Freese said. “They are a good team that has not gotten results to this point. I expect the Wolverines to be tough and hungry for a win on Wednesday.”
Missouri State sports a 4-13 record and a 1-7 mark in MAC play. The Bears have lost six straight and 10 of their last 12 contests. MSU is the third-highest scoring team in the MAC at 2.41 goals per match, but their 3.37 goals against average is the worst in the league.
The Chippewas are 18-10-1 all-time against the Bears and have won all nine meetings since MSU joined the MAC in 2005.
“Missouri State is a very good offensive team,” Freese said. “They do a nice job playing rebounds so we will have to be good at one touching the ball out of the circle when they get shots on goal.”
Saturday’s contest against MSU will be “Think Pink” day at the CMU Field Hockey Complex. Both teams will wear pink wristbands and spectators will receive pink ribbons to raise awareness of breast cancer.
Live stats and a live blog will both be available courtesy of cmuchippewas.com. Results and a recap will be available following both contests.
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 16 contests and their 2.29 goals against average ranks third 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 seven goals (t-10th in the MAC), eight assists (t-third), 22 points (sixth) and 74 shots (t-second). Jordan is also climbing up CMU’s career-scoring list with her comeback season, amassing 88 career points (fifth all-time at CMU) on 33 goals (seventh) and 22 assists (t-sixth).


Great in Goal — Senior Melinda Curran has been a steady presence in the Chippewas’ net this season. Curran is second among all MAC keepers with a .746 save percentage while her 2.27 goals against average ranks fourth in the conference.
