Central Michigan University
UC Davis
Chippewa Field Hockey Falls in OT
9/18/2015 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
Andy Sneddon, CMUChippewas.com
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. - UC Davis scored in the 77th minute Friday to hand Central Michigan a 2-1 overtime loss in a non-conference game at the CMU Field Hockey Complex.
The loss left CMU 0-7 heading into its Mid-American Conference opener at Longwood next Friday. UC Davis is 4-6.
"I thought that we matched up really well against UC Davis," CMU coach Molly Pelowski said. "We did some really positive things, we fought really hard, we scored first and just we hung in there.
"With overtime I think it just came down to experience and making decisions and kind of staying in the game and just playing."
Kaysie Gregory scored with a blast from the top of the circle off a penalty corner with 3 minutes, 19 seconds remaining in the first half to stake the Chippewas to a 1-0 lead.
It was Gregory's team-leading fifth goal of the season.
Jamie Garcia tied it 18 minutes into the second half, then Kayle Wigney got the game-winner at the 76:33 mark.
UC Davis outshot the Chippewas, 10-6, but CMU held a 6-5 edge in penalty corners.
CMU goalie Sadie Lynn Reynolds made three saves. Aggies goalie Erica Cohen also was credited with three saves.
"Honestly, collectively I thought we played really well as a group," Pelowski said. "Every person that went into the game today contributed something to the outcome, and our bench did a nice job keeping the energy up to stay in the game. Overall it was a team effort today.
"We talked about the things that went well today. Obviously scoring first, the execution of the game plan, and the intensity of the game. I think we need to bring that back to practice this week."
The Chippewas are the defending regular-season MAC champions. Longwood is 1-4 after dropping its league-opener to Miami (Ohio), 2-1, on Friday.
"Starting conference play is like a new season," Pelowski said. "We can just go ahead with a clean slate. We're undefeated in conference play, so let's see if we can keep it that way."
