Women ready to return to title form
Field hockey coach Cristy Freese will rely on more than just her experience to carry her team as she enters her 20th season at CMU this fall.
The 2005 team is led by a solid core of upperclassmen. The team returns four seniors and four juniors from last year’s squad, seven of them starters.
“This year’s team has an outstanding group of seniors,” Freese said. “The veterans on the team have proven to be great players and team leaders. Hopefully their attitude and consistency can rub off onto the younger players.”
CMU lost five starters from last season, including all-Mid-American Conference forward Kristy Reed. Three of the five starters lost were ranked in the top five in team scoring.
“We have a lack of depth, which means many of the younger players will see significant playing time,” Freese said. “Beyond our starters we are very inexperienced.”
The MAC coaches tabbed CMU fourth in the preseason conference poll. Kent State was picked to win, followed by Ohio and Miami, who are tied for second. Missouri State is fifth, while Ball State is sixth. MSU is a field hockey-only MAC school.
Returning seniors Erica Takach and Alisa Folk will be relied on to compensate for a lack of depth. Takach is coming off a productive junior season where she garnered first team all-MAC honors. Takach led the Chippewas with 23 points and scored 10 goals, including four game winners.
Folk ranked second on the team in points with 11 and goals with five.
“We should have an amazing offense this year,” Takach said. “The team is returning some really good players from last season and everyone is in excellent physical condition. Having experienced players all over the field will lead to scoring opportunities.”
Seniors Kim Ferris and Laura Glaza will lead a young defense that lost three starting backs. Ferris was a second team all-MAC selection last year, and Glaza enters the fall as one of three players to start all 19 games last season.
“Ferris and Glaza will have to be leaders on the field this year,” Freese said. “We will be inexperienced on one side of the field defensively this season. Their ability to lead is going to be important.”
Junior Danielle Frank and sophomore Sarah Mancuso return to battle for the starting goalkeeper job. Frank started 11 games for the Chippewas in an injury plagued season. Mancuso started six games in Frank’s absence and is expected to be the back up.
“Both worked hard in the off-season to strengthen their bodies for the fall,” Freese said.
Reasons to watch
- After only playing four games on their home field last season, the Chippewas will get to play a full season at the field hockey venue.
- Senior Erica Takach is one of the top players in the MAC after scoring 10 goals last season.
- The Chippewas host 2001 National Champion Michigan Wolverines in their home opener Sept. 13.
The Chippewas went 8-11 last year and 5-5 in the MAC. The team played only four games in Mount Pleasant last season and is looking forward to its first full season on its new field. CMU played three of its home games at Michigan State because its field hockey complex remained unfinished for the first half of the season.
“It is a relief to have eight home games this season, and on top of that, hosting the MAC Tournament is going to be exciting,” Freese said. “This team has the talent to win the MAC, but it in the end it will come down to whether or not we can stay healthy and play consistent all season.”
Central opens its season at St. Louis University Sept. 2. The home opener is against Michigan Sept. 13 at 4 p.m. at the field hockey complex.
