CMU Earns Field Hockey MAC Championship

Nov. 1, 2014

Mary Walsh, CMUChippewas.com

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. - Cayleigh Immelman and Kaysie Gregory scored the goals Saturday as the Central Michigan field hockey team defeated Kent State, 2-1, to earn a share of the Mid-American Conference championship.

It is the first regular-season league title since 2002 for CMU, which improved to 7-11 overall. Kent State is 8-9. The teams finished tied atop the MAC at 5-1.

Immelman's goal came with 30 second left in the first half, breaking a 1-1 tie. Gregory assisted.

"I'm proud to be Central Michigan," said Immelman, a senior.

Gregory scored off a rebound on a penalty corner. Immelman leads CMU with nine goals, while Gregory has six.

Hannah Faulkner, the MAC's leading scorer, scored unassisted off a corner.

The Chippewas held the Golden Flashes to six shots, more than 15 below their average.

"I think our team was determined," CMU coach Cristy Freese said. "We've been in this position two years in a row now and I think our team and seniors weren't going to be denied this time. I'm just excited for these kids -- they've worked very hard."

Junior goalkeeper Sadie Lynn Reynolds made three saves to earn the victory.

Kent State held a 6-5 advantage in both shots and penalty corners.

"We're really excited and it was a team effort," Reynolds said. "Everyone played hard for the entire 70 minutes, not one minute was lacking."

The MAC Tournament is set for Kent State beginning on Friday, Nov. 8.