Central Michigan University Athletics
CMU Falls in Double-OT to Kent State, 4-3
10/8/2011 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
Box Score | Highlights | Rebroadcast
MOUNT PLEASANT - The Central Michigan field hockey team was defeated by Kent State, 4-3, in double overtime after leading for a majority of Saturday afternoon's game at the CMU Field Hockey Complex.
The Chippeaws (5-7, 3-3 MAC) held a 3-1 lead late into the second half, but the Golden Flashes (5-8, 3-1 MAC) scored two goals in final eight minutes of the game to force overtime, including one that was lofted into the air to the circle, something the Chippewas haven't encountered much of.
"They scored the tying goal on something we hadn't really seen before, on a lift into the circle," CMU head coach Cristy Freese said. "We did the best we could at that point, but we certainly had opportunities to put that game away in regulation."
Neither team scored in the first overtime period, despite the Chippewas out-shooting KSU, 4-1, and gaining a one-player advantage after KSU's Debbie Bell was sent out of the game with a yellow card.
Bell came back in the game for the second overtime and found the back of the cage for her second goal just one minute and 11 second into the second overtime to end the game.
The loss is the second in a row at home for the Chippewas, though they still hold a 4-3 record in Mount Pleasant and have outscored opponents 23-10 in games at the Field Hockey Complex.
The Chippewas jumped out to an early 2-0 lead to start the game. Freshman forward Cayleigh Immelman worked hard for the first goal of the game in the 11th minute, firing a shot from the left side that was saved, and then recovered the rebound and pushed it past the goalkeeper. The goal was Immelman's eighth of the year.
Just four minutes later, sophomore forward Bailey McKeon scored her fifth goal of the year on an assist from senior midfielder Paulina Lee to give the Maroon and Gold a 2-0 lead.
KSU netted its first goal of the game ten minutes later, cutting the CMU lead to 2-1.
Senior goalkeeper Anastasia Netto made five saves in the first half, including an acrobatic diving glove save on a shot that was fired into the top right corner with just three minutes remaining in the first half, to preserve a 2-1 lead going into the half.
The Chippewas extended their lead in the 50th minute to 3-1 on junior forward Emily Girasole's first goal of the season, assisted by sophomore forward Juliana Makrinos.
The Golden Flashes began their comeback when Rebecca Lee scored in the 63rd minute, and completed it when Bell scored the first of two goals on the day in the 67th minute on the ball lofted into the circle.
"Kent State creates a lot of problems, and we just weren't able to sustain that level of defense for the entire game," said Freese.
The Chippewas' offense outshot Kent State's 17-13, but each team had 11 shots on goal. CMU earned more than twice as many corners, 13-6.
McKeon led the CMU offense with five shots on goal and Immelman had two on goal. Lee, Girasole, Makrinos and junior midfielder Erin Dye each recorded one shot on goal.
The Chippewas are in action against Miami (OH) this Saturday at the CMU Field Hockey Complex at noon as part of homecoming weekend.
