Rival Flashes come to town
Junior Stasia Burroughs wants to show Kent State field hockey coach Kerry DeVries she made a big mistake when the Golden Flashes visit Thursday.
Burroughs, a defender from Kent, Ohio, played for DeVries’ indoor team when she was in high school.
“She told me that I would not play at Kent State or any other big name school,” Burroughs said. “She definitely did underestimate my abilities. It was cool when we beat them last season, because she said I wouldn’t make it to a big school, and then I was on a team that beat her.”
However, DeVries says she is pleased with the gains Burroughs has made.
“It is exciting to see how far Stasia has gone, and she has a great deal of heart and pride in playing for CMU,” DeVries said. “As much as I want a win for our team, I also want to see Stasia do well.”
The Chippewas, 2-5 overall and 1-1 in the MAC, are looking to break a two- game losing streak against KSU.
CMU won at home in double overtime, but then lost at Kent by penalty strokes last season. In the MAC Tournament semifinals, CMU lost to the Golden Flashes in double overtime.
“Last year, we sort of developed a nice rivalry,” said CMU coach Cristy Freese. “When you have close games, it always adds a little to it.”
Kent State agrees the teams are rivals.
“I think it is a very healthy rivalry between us,” DeVries said. “We have to come to CMU and play tough in order to win.”
The Golden Flashes are 3-6 overall and 1-0 in the MAC after beating Ohio 4-0 last week. Senior midfielder Jennifer Melnyk leads KSU with seven goals.
Kent State has been shut out three times this season, while CMU has been shut out once.
Senior goalkeeper Laura Plese may have solidified her starting role in net. She won her first career game in a 6-1 win at Miami Sunday.
“Laura has really responded well to my tinkering,” Freese said. “She has always been ready and even though we have limited experience at the position, she has the most.”
Plese is excited about her first win and the chance to play in front of a home crowd.
“It was awesome to win, especially when we scored as many goals as we did,” Plese said. “I am really excited to have two MAC games like Kent and Ohio, and these two wins are going to be awesome.”
After seven games on the road, the team is happy to be home.
“It’s certainly nice to be at home, because we are pretty tired of the bus,” Freese said.
CMU split its first two MAC games last season before going on a five-game winning streak.
“Both games are really important because our goal is to repeat as MAC Champs,” said junior Michelle Fogle. “If we want a shot at repeating, we have to win these games.”
Freese said the outcome of the game will come down to defense.
“The team that plays better defense will win the game because both teams can score,” she said. “I know Kent will be ready for us.”
The game starts at 2 p.m. at Kelly/Shorts Stadium and will begin a three-game homestand.
