Perfect: Central’s fast start at stake
The field hockey team knows two wins this weekend could give it a commanding lead in the Mid-American Conference.
CMU plays Miami University today at 2 p.m. and Ball State Saturday at 1 p.m.
Central is 5-4 overall and 2-0 in the MAC after wins against Missouri State last weekend.
“This is a very important weekend for us; we are coming in focused and ready to win,” said senior midfielder Erica Takach. “We have to treat every game like it is for the MAC championship.”
MU is 4-5 overall and 1-1 in the MAC. CMU defeated MU in both regular season games in 2004, but lost to the RedHawks in the MAC Tournament last season.
This game features the two best defenses and goalkeepers statistically in the MAC. CMU is allowing a MAC-best 2.12 goals per game, with MU allowing a second best 2.56 goals.
Game Breakdown
- What: Miami and Ball State at CMU
- When: 2 p.m. Friday, 1 p.m. Saturday
- Where: The field hockey complex
“It will be an interesting game,” said CMU coach Cristy Freese. “Each team has a very talented and experienced goaltender, but each team also has a great ability to score.”
Junior goalkeeper Danielle Frank leads the MAC with a 2.09 goals against average.
RedHawks goalkeeper Kerri Orr leads the conference with two shutouts and is second-best with a 2.62 GAA. She is third in the MAC in saves and was the 2004 MAC Co-Player of the Year.
“She is a great goalie, but we have been facing and scoring on great goalies all season,” Takach said. “We have faced some amazing goalies this year and scored on all of them. We just have to make sure to come out aggressive and be tenacious when we are in the circle. Getting an early goal against MU would be a huge momentum boost.”
BSU enters the weekend 1-7 overall and 0-1 in the MAC.
CMU split the series against the Cardinals last season with a 4-1 loss and a 2-1 win.
The Cardinals are led by senior Chantel Isaac-Smith.
Isaac-Smith is the third leading scorer in the MAC with 12 points.
BSU enters the game allowing a conference worst 4.75 goals per game.
“I don’t care about what their record is or how they are statistically, those two things don’t really mean a lot,” Freese said. “We went down there last season and got our butts kicked. If we are going to be a championship team we have to play every MAC game like it is a championship game.”
Junior Alicia Balanesi enters today’s game leading the MAC with 17 points. Her seven goals ties her for the MAC lead.
Freshman Samantha Sandham and Takach are tied for the MAC lead in assists with six each.
