Central Michigan University Athletics
Key Weekend for Chippewa Field Hockey
9/30/2015 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
Andy Sneddon, CMUChippewas.com
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. - Critical weekend for the Central Michigan field hockey team.
The Chippewas, who have played just one game in each of the past two weekends, face three games in four days beginning Thursday (3 p.m.) when Pacific comes to CMU for a non-league matchup.
On Friday at 3 p.m., the Chippewas will face Ohio, and on Sunday at noon will take on Kent State. Both of those are Mid-American Conference games.
CMU (0-8) is seeking its first victory under first-year coach Molly Pelowski. The Chippewas opened MAC play last weekend with a 5-2 loss at Longwood.
"This is kind of do-or-die, this is kind of the point of no return," Pelowski said. "If we have any plans to make the MAC Tournament we have to win."
Ohio is 4-4, 1-0, while the Flashes are 2-6, 1-0. The Chippewas have flirted with victory and appear to be inching closer to a breakthrough. Prior to falling to Longwood, CMU dropped a 2-1 overtime decision to UC Davis.
Their two goals against Longwood were the most the Chippewas have scored in a game since a 10-3 loss to Delaware in the season opener.
"We've been right on the edge, I think, for a couple games," Pelowski said. "We have to focus on the little things and getting those things done. That's what we have to do.
"We all want it, we just all have to want it in the same direction. As long as we're all going in the same direction we'll be fine."
Pacific is 5-4 and has won four of its last five starts.
"We never save anything for any game," Pelowski said. "Every game we're out for the W. Having said that, because we are in sort of a time crunch and we need to extend our legs over four days, I want to work more people into the lineup this weekend.
"That might be the only change. But at the end of the day I'm not overlooking Pacific by any means. We need to win that game. Just like we need to beat Ohio, just like we need to beat Kent State."
