Field Hockey Collects First Win with 4-0 Showing over Mercyhurst

Mount Pleasant, Mich. — The Central Michigan field hockey earned it's first victory of 2025 over Mercyhurst University Friday afternoon in shutout fashion, the Chippewa's first since 2020.

Sophomore Carolena Ryon led the Chippewa offense, logging two goals, while senior Mallory Camryn added on one goal and one assist. Junior Cameron Pluciennik logged the fourth Chippewa goal. Freshman Mora Rulli and senior Shannon Dwyer found their way to the scorebook, each logging an assist.

"I think it's exciting to get our first win and to win at home is always nice for sure." CMU Head Coach Jennifer Johnstone said, "We don't get to play at home a lot. So to win our home opener year is a good thing for sure. I think to have a shutout, to score the goals that we did we're happy. But of course, we know there's work to do for Sunday too."

Although unable to crack the board in the first half, the Chippewa offense put heavy pressure on the Lakers back line. As a team CMU logged 13 shots, eight of landing on goal, alongside eight corners.

"After halftime, we came out on fire. The team wanted to make sure they were going to do everything they could to take matters into their own hands. I'm really proud of them for that because I think having athletes who want to step up when they need to is half of the battle as a coach. So, the fact that we're now having more of those athletes on the field, they are making a difference. It's awesome, it's exciting to be on to be on the sidelines and see as a coach."

Ryon opened the Chippewa's scoring sneaking a shot by the Laker's keeper off a penalty stroke just under two minutes into the second half. Camryn followed up just two minutes later off a corner attempt, set up by Rulli and Dwyer, to double the Chippewa lead.

"Lena's (Carolena Ryon) relentless in the circle. She's got a great shot. She knows how to finish around the keeper. I knew she was going to make that stroke. I just knew it. She's a competitor. That's why she's here."

On the defensive end, heading into the fourth quarter keeper Ashley Cogger had yet to face a shot or corner by the Mercyhurst offense, thanks to suffocating pressure by the Chippewa mid and back lines.

Ryon struck for the second time in the fourth quarter; after receiving just a little too much space from the Laker's defense, she went five-hole on the keeper for third goal of the season.

Yet again, just two minutes later the Chippewas logged their final goal of the game as Pluciennik was able to get her stick on a shot from Camryn that was sailing just right of the cage. The goal was Pluciennik's first of the season.

"It's nice for us that we have like more than one person to rely on. The one thing that's really fun about this team is, is we're more fit than we've ever been, and so it allows us to high press. It allows us to get the ball through the forwards, which I think we had a lot of trouble doing that last year and Mal (Mallory Camryn) was someone we targeted a lot. But now that we're in a better position, we're able to connect with our forwards on the outside."

"I think again, our midis are just playing much more direct. They're finding the forwards, which last year I think we struggled with at times. So that's also getting the forwards the ball a lot more too. And Hailey Bainer, our center back is phenomenal. She is the anchor of our defense. She is all over the place and she helps us in that respect too, because if they're leaving those channels open in the middle, she's going to take advantage of them on the outlet."

Cogger ended the game, facing only one shot and one corner, recording her first shutout for the Chippewas.

"Ashley, our goalkeeper, we're really excited she had a shutout today. It's her first shutout with us. She just communicates so much and it's a huge strength for her and I think that communication just makes everybody feel more confident out there. It's really nice to have that."

Camryn's three-point performance adds to her chase of 100 career points. After Friday's victory she sits at 90.

Central Michigan will wrap up their weekend at home by taking on Mercyhurst for a second time Sunday, Sept. 7, at 1 p.m. for Dog Day.

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Field Hockey Collects First Win with 4-0 Showing over Mercyhurst

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Team Stats

Carolena Ryon

Mallory Camryn

Cameron Pluciennik

Mora Rulli

Players Mentioned

Hailey Bainer

Mallory Camryn

Ashley Cogger

Shannon Dwyer

Cameron Pluciennik

Mora Rulli

Carolena Ryon