Central Michigan University Athletics
CMU Hits the Road for Ball State, Pacific
9/27/2012 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
MOUNT PLEASANT -The Central Michigan field hockey team will look to get back on track this weekend as it continues Mid-American Conference play at Ball State on Saturday before taking on Pacific at East Lansing, Mich., on Sunday.
The Chippewas (3-6, 0-1) will seek to snap a five-match losing streak with its first conference win against Ball State on Friday. Central has been within one goal in three of the five matches, and four were against teams that are or have been ranked at one point in the season.
East Lansing, where the Chippewas will play Pacific on Sunday, has become a home away from home of sorts for the Chippewas, who have already played three matches on the campus of Michigan State.
Weekend Schedule
At Ball State (2-7, 0-1 MAC)
Briner Sports Complex | Muncie, Ind.
Saturday, Sep. 29 | 1 p.m.
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Vs. Pacific (3-6) at East Lansing
Ralph Young Field | East Lansing, Mich.
Sunday, Sep. 30 | 12 p.m.
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By the Numbers
| Team | Ball State | CMU | Pacific |
| Record | 2-7 0-1 home | 3-6 0-0 away 3-4 neutral | 3-6 1-3 neutral |
|
| 19/40 | 15/22 | 21/34 |
SOG/Shots | 59/94 | 67/105 | 68/105 |
Opp. SOG/Shots | 116/171 | 63/125 | 117/192 |
Corners Taken/ Corners Allowed | 55/69 | 51/74 | 35/97 |
Penalty Strokes | 0-0 | 0-0 | 1-3 |
Green/Yellow/ Red Cards | 9/1/0 | 2/0/0 | 8/3/0 |
Scouting Ball State
Season Statistics
The Cardinals are coming off their closest loss of the season, a 3-2 match against Saint Louis at home. Ball State dropped its conference opener against Missouri State last Friday, 4-2. The Cardinals have scored 19 goals on the sseason - eight of which came in an 8-2 rout of Lindenwood - but have allowed 40 to their opponents, who have taken nearly twice as many shots on goal, 116-59. The defense has allowed three or more goals in eight of their nine matches, including an eight-goal loss to No. 10 Northwestern, 8-0.
Sophomore midfielder Tori Widrick has recorded four goals for the Cardinals, while sophomore midfielder Tarel Teach and freshman forward Allie White have each scored three. Ball State splits time in goal between two freshman keepers, Maddi Elliot and Shelby Henley. Elliot has started six of the nine matches and has a lower goals against average (5.46 to 5.77), but Henley has played more minutes and has a higher save percentage (.667 to .622).
History Against Ball State
The Chippewas are 26-39 all-time against the Cardinals, but as of late Central has taken command of the series. The Maroon and Gold are 6-1 against the Cardinals since the current senior class arrived on campus, and have outscored them 23-7. Central defeated Ball State twice in 2011, including a lopsided 5-1 win that featured two goals from current sophomore Cayleigh Immelman and another from current sophomore Mary Alice Moore.
Scouting Pacific
Season Statistics
The Tigers are coming off two closely fought overtime losses to No. 23 Maine, 3-2, and UC Davis, 4-3. After starting 2-1, Pacific has dropped five of its most recent seven matches, including a 6-0 loss to Iowa and a 7-1 loss to New Hampshire. In Iowa and Maine the two teams have had common opponents. The Chippewas went 1-1 against those two teams, with a 1-0 win over Maine. A large part of Pacific's struggles have come on the penalty corner - opponents have earned 97 penalty corners, while the Tigers have only taken 35.
A pair of four-goal scorers lead the Tigers in junior midfielder Paige Counsman and junior forward Melissa Maultsby. Junior midfielder Emily Tregoning has scored three goals and assisted on four others. Freshman goalkeeper Maggie Corder has been the top keeper for the Tigers this season, going 3-1 and allowing 2.90 goals per game.
History Against Pacific
The all-time series between these two programs is currently tied, 1-1. The first meeting was a 2-1 Pacific win in 1993, and the Chippewas defeated the Tigers, 4-0, in 2002 en route to its most recent regular season conference championship.
Weekend Notes
Familiar Setting
This weekend's match against Pacific at Ralph Young Field in East Lansing will be the fourth of the season at Michigan State. They will seek thier first win of the season at MSU after three closely fought losses, including a double-overtime loss to Louisville and a near-takedown of No. 11 Stanford.
Freese Approaching MAC Milestone
With a win against Ball State on Sunday, head coach Cristy Freese would earn her 100th career MAC victory.
Defensive Stats
Despite allowing four goals to each of its two opponents this weekend, the Chippewas still boast one of the staunchest defenses in the conference. The Chippewas are one of four MAC teams who have recorded a shutout, and are the only ones to do so against a ranked opponent with a 1-0 win over No. 23 Maine. The Chippewas are also one of just two teams in the conference allowing under three goals per game (2.98).
Immelman Making an Impact
Though sophomore foward Cayleigh Immelman has not yet scored this season, she is still making her presence felt on the offensive side of the field. She is tied for second in the conference with four assists on the season.
