Freese seeks more consistent play in ’06
Coach Cristy Freese hopes the field hockey team remembers both feelings it experienced last year.
It had the low of struggling to a 5-5 record in the Mid-American Conference during the regular season, but then had the excitement of winning the tournament championship.
Freese said she wants a steadier season this year.
For that to happen CMU will have to play better for the whole season.
“We were good at the beginning of the season and at end last year,” Freese said. “What we’re trying to do is have more consistent play.”
CMU entered last season’s tournament as a No. 4 seed, but began to play its best of the season. It breezed through the tournament, beating Miami 3-1 in the finals to win its second tournament title in school history.
The loss of key players to graduation will force underclassman to assume significant roles this season.
Defensive backs Laura Glaza and Kim Ferris graduated, which leaves senior Erin Dottery as the lone veteran on defense.
Field hockey outlook
Key returnees: Senior forward Alicia Balanesi, senior goalie Danielle Frank and sophomore forward Kelly Jordan
Key losses: Forward Alisa Folk, back Laura Glaza and midfielder Erica Takach
Reason to watch: Balanesi and Jordan both had a team high 11 goals last year. Jordan recorded the third most points (25) in CMU field hockey history by a freshman.
Last season’s record: 11-12 (5-5 in MAC)
Senior goalkeeper Danielle Frank had three shutouts last season and will be an experienced goalie, which will help the young defense.
Freese said the sophomores are showing improvement and there is good competition at each position with five or six players fighting for playing time.
“We’ve got some good talent,” she said. “You can tell a difference this year from the freshmen last year. They’re getting it better.”
While defense is a concern, Central’s offense has one of the best scoring tandems in the MAC.
Senior forward Alicia Balanesi (29 points) and sophomore forward Kelly Jordan (25 points) were second and third in scoring in the MAC last season. Jordan and sophomore middle fielder Samantha Sandham are expected to play bigger leadership roles.
“It’s much easier to come up with people that you know,” Sandham said. “You know what to expect. We are sort of like (the freshmen’s) mentors.”
Balanesi and Jordan led the team with 11 goals for an offense ranked first in the MAC in scoring with 2.18 goals a game.
“We have good team speed,” Freese said. “I think we can get three or four players in double-digit scoring.”
The returning scorers will help ease the loss of midfielder Erika Takach, who was fourth in the MAC in scoring last season with 24 points.
CMU hosts Syracuse in its season opener Sunday.
Field Hockey Roster
Allyce Avery F Fr. Farmington Hills, Mich. (Marian HS)
Alicia Balanesi F Sr. Hanover, Pa. (South Western HS)
Carolyn Bennett B Fr. Ann Arbor, Mich. (Pioneer HS)
Moyra Betuzzi F/MF So. Kelowna, British Columbia (Mount Boucherie SS)
Cortney Blanchard F Sr. Cape Town, South Africa (Milnerton HS)
Melinda Curran GK Fr. Cincinnati, Ohio (Summit Country Day)
Jessyca Doan B Jr. Ann Arbor, Mich. (Pioneer HS)
Erin Dottery MF/B Sr. Zionsville, Pa. (Emmaus HS)
Danielle Frank GK Sr. Williamsville, N.Y. (Williamsville North HS)
Lizl Gericke MF Fr. Fairfax, Va. (Woodson HS)
Kelly Jordan F So. Burt, N.Y. (Newfane Central HS)
Alliston Kist B So. St. Louis, Missouri (Nerinx Hall HS)
Amanda Lucik MF So. Zionsville, Pa. (Emmaus HS)
Sarah Mancuso GK Jr. Pittsford, N.Y. (Mendon HS)
Kristen Palinski B So. Rome, N.Y. (Rome Free Academy)
Nicole Rao F/MF Jr. Pedleton, N.Y. (Sweet Home HS)
Samantha Sandham MF So. Cape Town, South Africa (Parel Valley HS)
Tara Schiltz MF/B Fr. South Wales, N.Y. (Holland Central HS)
Kahla Schwall GK Fr. Antioch, Ill. (Anticoch Community HS)
Kim Erasmus MF Fr. Elizabeth, South Africa (Collegiate High School for
Girls)
Head Coach: Cristy Freese, Assistant Coach: Earl Marais
