Field hockey wraps up road trip
Chris McCarty
“We must execute and minimize our mistakes,” said Head Coach Cristy Freese. “We need to be prepared for what Louisville is going to throw at us.”
Although the Chippewas have yet to break into the Top 20, at 7-3, they have been getting some votes in the coaches poll.
“I think the only way we are going to be in the Top 20 is if we beat a ranked team,” Freese said. “We are a talented team, but last year, we finished the season 7-11, so it is probably hard for coaches to vote for us because all they can go by is this year.”
Last season, Louisville won the three games between the two teams. One difference between the two teams may come in recruitment.
“I know that they have a couple of players from Australia and one from South Africa,” Freese said. “They have a lot more experience than many American players.”
Another factor that makes CMU’s second conference game a good match-up is the fact that Louisville’s keeper and CMU’s Janel Spero have a lot in common: Both have three shutouts, a goals against average below 2.0 and a save percentage above .700.
The Chippewas wrap up their month-long road trip at Miami Saturday. The RedHawks have one win and have given up the second most goals in the MAC (63). The team also has been shutout four times.
“We want to be more cautious for the Miami game,” Freese said. “They are the last place team and we need to play two very good games before coming back home.”
CMU’s last home game was Sept. 10, a 4-0 loss to Michigan State. When the Chippewas return to Kelly/Shorts Stadium on Oct. 10 against Ohio, they will open a six-game home stand.
“That’s our goal this weekend,” Freese said. “To win two MAC games and return home at 3-0 in the MAC.”
