Central Michigan University Athletics
Central Michigan University
Kent State
Field Hockey Drops 1-0 Heartbreaker
10/4/2015 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
Andy Sneddon, CMUChippewas.com
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. - The effort was better, but in the end, the Central Michigan field hockey team came up short in its bid for its first victory of the season.
Madison Thompson banged home a rebound in the 56th minute Sunday as Kent State handed CMU a 1-0 Mid-American Conference loss at the CMU Field Hockey Complex.
The loss dropped CMU to 0-11, 0-3 MAC. The Flashes are 3-7, 2-0. CMU takes a break from league play next weekend when it entertains 18th-ranked Iowa (7-4) on Sunday at noon.
Sunday's game was CMU's third on its home field in four days, and it brought to an end what first-year coach Molly Pelowski called a critical stretch. At 0-3, CMU's chances of earning a spot in the Mid-American Conference Tournament are minimal.
"Nothing changes for us in terms of the way we approach every game," Pelowski said. "We're out there to play to win. This changes a bit for us post-season wise. We're spoilers now. I think people overlook us.
"They look at our record and don't really appreciate the talent that we do have. That puts in a great position to ruin someone's day."
The Chippewas nearly did that to Kent State as they turned in their best performance of the weekend. The Golden Flashes finished with a 20-7 advantage in shots and an 11-5 edge in penalty corners.
"I kind of changed my tack a little bit in pregame and I let a couple of the seniors address the team before the game," Pelowski said. "They needed to supply the emotion, they needed to supply the heart and they did, and that's what you saw today. That was 100 percent the girls, that was the team.
"We were ready to go today, we had a great warmup, we played a great game, Kent State played a great game. We were able to produce an offensive circle, (but) it was about execution and we didn't get it done. They put the biscuit in the basket. That's what happened."
CMU goalkeeper Sadie Lynn Reynolds made 12 saves.
"Sadie Lynn played a heck of a game," Pelowski said.
