CMU Athletics Weekly Preview

The Central Michigan field hockey and volleyball teams are set to kick off their respective seasons this weekend, while the Chippewa soccer team resumes its schedule with games against in-state Big Ten opponents.

Soccer
Central Michigan (0-1) will open its 2021 home schedule on Thursday, Aug. 26 when it plays host to in Michigan State (2-0) under the lights (7 p.m.) at the CMU Soccer Complex.

Last week, in its season opener at Marquette, CMU rallied from a 4-0 halftime deficit to pull within one goal but ultimately fell to the Golden Eagles, 4-3, in Milwaukee.

Laila Arab scored in the 54th minute, off an assist from reigning MAC Freshman of the Year Jaelyn Dobrowolski, and Amanda Britain and Addie Brown followed with penalty kick goals for CMU.

Michigan State has yet to allow a goal through its first two outings, downing Detroit Mercy, 4-0; and Eastern Michigan, 3-0. The MSU attack has been balanced with seven different Spartans accounting for goals.

CMU will then travel to Michigan (2-0) on Sunday, Aug. 29 for a 1 p.m. game. The Wolverines have notched wins over Butler (5-0) and Bowling Green (2-1) and will host Western Michigan on Thursday night.

Volleyball
Mike Gawlik begins his sixth season in charge of the program when CMU goes to Peoria, Ill. for the CEFCU Invitational, hosted by Bradley.

The Chippewas are scheduled to play the host Braves on Friday (6:30 p.m.) and then on Saturday are slated to play DePaul (10 a.m.) and Southeast Missouri State (4:30 p.m.).

CMU, which tied for second place in the Mid-American Conference West Division during the spring, 2021 season, was picked to finish first in the West in a preseason poll of conference coaches.

In addition, two Chippewas – Lisbeth Rosario-Martinez and Savannah Thompson – were named to the West All-MAC Preseason Team.

Bradley finished 12-7 during the spring season, DePaul was 6-5, and SEMO finished 14-3.

Field hockey
CMU field hockey begins its fourth season under coach Catherine Ostoich on Friday (1 p.m.) at Cristy Freese Field against Indiana. The Chippewas are scheduled to entertain Davidson on Sunday (1 p.m.). Both are nonconference matches.

Indiana and Davison will play on Saturday at 1 p.m. in a neutral-site contest at Cristy Freese Field.

CMU went 5-7 overall, 3-6 in the MAC during a spring season. The program returns eight starters including First Team All-MAC selection Alice O'Hagan.

Indiana is coming off a 1-14 season, going 0-12 in the Big Ten. Midfielder Mary Kate Kesler is IU's top returner scorer with three goals last year.

Davidson posted a record of 4-7 last season and were 2-4 in Atlantic-10 action. The Wildcats tallied a 4-1 victory over CMU last season.

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Players Mentioned

Laila Arab

Amanda Britain

Addie Brown

Jaelyn Dobrowolski

Alice O'Hagan

Lisbeth Rosario-Martinez

Savannah Thompson