Field hockey looks for MAC Title
The field hockey team could win a MAC Championship this weekend for the first time since 1990.
At 12-4 overall and 5-1 in the MAC, the Chippewas look to avenge their only MAC loss of the season when they host No. 9 Louisville on today. The Chippewas will host Miami for their last home game on Sunday.
The No. 17 ranked Chippewas have won 12 games for the first time since 1996. With two victories this weekend, the team could claim the second MAC crown in school history.
CMU broke the National Field Hockey Coaches Association’s Top 20 for the first time in school history last week at No. 20. This week the Chippewas moved up to No. 17 and have won five consecutive matches.
“We want to go out and win every game we play,” said Head Coach Cristy Freese. “There is a little bit of excitement around here, but we know we have two very important games and it is going to take all we’ve got to win both of them.”
The last time the Chippewas met up with the Cardinals in Louisville, they fell behind 3-0, losing 3-1. Freese knows her team must play better.
“We are ready to play Louisville and we know we need to play better than the last time we played them,” she said. “We know that they will play better also because in their minds, they think they can win the conference.”
CMU knows its goals have not yet been met.
“It’s exciting that we are playing for something this week and that we are winning games,” Freese said. “I mean we have won 12 games this year, but in reality we haven’t won anything.”
The Chippewas have not lost a home MAC match this year.
Freese said she believes that the team needs to learn from the last match against Louisville.
“We did not play well last time and I thought they played very well. We need to pressure them more and execute on our corners. We have to play good defense because I think Louisville is the best team in the conference. If everyone on the team steps up and plays their best, we can win,” she said.
Although it may seem that most of the focus is on Louisville this weekend, Freese is quick to point out that Miami is a big threat.
“I think Miami is pretty scary. The last time they played Louisville — Louisville only won 1-0,” Freese said. “Even though they haven’t won a game in the conference, they have a lot of pride and they will not quit. Miami is playing good defense right now and their goalkeeper has been playing very well.”
The players have been focused in practice all week.
“We have been looking at a lot of game tapes,” said senior back Jeanette Spero. “We are making minor adjustments and had a very serious week of practice.”
Senior forward Meg Lewis said this is a great team to be associated with and would not have her senior season end any other way.
“We are really excited and really focused this week and we know this a big game,” Lewis said. “If I could pick a dream year, this would be it. This is a great team and I want to go out on top.”
Lewis believes that nothing can be left on the field this weekend.
“We need to play with heart and we need to play like these are our last games,” Lewis said. “Everyone should have fun playing and play to win.”
It is the last chance for the seniors to win a MAC championship and the underclassmen understand that.
“All of the younger players realize it — the seniors last year — and we would like to do it for them, but we want to do if for our team as a whole to,” said freshman Erica Takach. “When we go out we will do anything to win, and if we go out, and be aggressive and work hard as a team, then we will win.”
Today’s match against Louisville at Kelly/Shorts Stadium begins at 2 p.m and Sunday’s match against Miami begins at noon.
