Central Michigan University Athletics
Field Hockey Heads to MAC Tournament This Week
11/3/2009 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
MOUNT PLEASANT — After closing the regular season with three straight victories, the Central Michigan field hockey team starts the Mid-American Conference Tournament hoping to carry its hot streak into the postseason.
The Chippewas (7-12, 4-6 Mid-American) are seeded fourth in this week’s tournament and draw host Ball State in the quarterfinals on Thursday in Muncie, Ind. The contest begins at 11 a.m.
CMU ended the season with the MAC’s third-best defense (2.04 goals against average), though its 1.62 scoring average was ranked fifth in the league. Central has outscored opponents, 8-2, during its three-match winning streak.
“It was nice to play well last weekend and rebound from the weekend before,” head coach Cristy Freese said. “I’m happy that we are entering the tournament with some confidence, but we also need to focus as well.”
Ball State finished the regular season with a 4-14 overall record and a 2-8 league ledger. The Cardinals lost 14 of their last 16 regular season contests, including both meetings with the Chippewas. Ball State finished last in the MAC in both scoring (1.47 goals per match) and goals against average (3.48).
CMU downed BSU, 4-1, in Mount Pleasant on Sept. 26 and pulled out a 4-0 victory in Muncie on Oct. 16.
“In my experience, the first tournament match is always the hardest,” Freese said. “We have to play Ball State on their field. I felt Ball State was a difficult team both times we played. The difference was that we were more opportunistic in the circle both times.”
Should Central advance, it would face MAC co-champion Ohio in the semifinals at noon on Friday. A Maroon and Gold victory on Friday would clinch a berth in the championship match on Saturday at 1 p.m.
OU finished fourth in the MAC in scoring at 1.69 goals per match and its 1.64 goals against average was the best in the conference.
The Chippewas lost both meetings with the Bobcats, falling 2-1 at home on Oct. 3 and 5-0 on the road on Oct. 25.
Results will be available on cmuchippewas.com following each of Central’s MAC Tournament matches.
CMU News and Notes
CMU In the MAC Tournament — Thursday will be the 36th match the Chippewas have played in the MAC Tournament. CMU holds an all-time tournament record of 18-17 and is 11-6 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).


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 13 of their 19 contests and their 2.04 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 11 goals (fourth in the MAC), nine assists (t-fourth), 31 points (fourth) and 88 shots (second). Jordan is also climbing up CMU’s career-scoring list, amassing 97 career points (fourth all-time at CMU) on 37 goals (fifth) and 23 assists (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 .766 save percentage while her 1.97 goals against average ranks third in the conference.
