Central Michigan University
Drexel
CMU Field Hockey Falls to Drexel
9/13/2015 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
Andy Sneddon, CMUChippewas.com
EVANSTON, Ill. - The Central Michigan field hockey team could not match Drexel's second-half outburst Sunday as the Dragons handed CMU a 5-1 loss at Northwestern's Lakeside Field.
The Chippewas slipped to 0-6 under first-year coach Molly Pelowski. Drexel is 1-5.
It was a scoreless tie at halftime.
"From a defensive perspective we were giving them some difficulty on their outlet, and we were able to generate some offense," Pelowski said of CMU's first-half effort.
The final 35 minutes, however, were a different story.
"To Drexel's credit, they made some good adjustments," Pelowski said. "They were more aggressive. They were beating us to the ball.
"Today wasn't about a tactical plan, today wasn't about a technical skill. It was about heart today, and I didn't see it today, specifically in the second half."
Danielle Grassi scored the first of her two goals four minutes into the second half to break the scoreless tie and start a four-goal surge for the Dragons.
Haley Bova scored in the 67th minute for the Chippewas with an assist from Kaysie Gregory. It was Bova's first goal of the season.
Grassi closed the scoring with under two minutes remaining.
Drexel outshot the Chippewas, 21-4, and held a 7-1 edge in penalty corners. Sadie Lynn Reynolds made five saves in goal for CMU, which returns home to play UC Davis on Friday, Sept. 18 at 3 p.m.
CMU opens Mid-American Conference play the following Friday at Longwood.
"Everything we want to accomplish this season is still within our grasp," Pelowski said.
