Freese keeping Central field hockey on task despite honors
The field hockey team received a significant amount of recognition after a solid performance last week.
And now, coach Cristy Freese wants to see how her team reacts to it.
The team received 11 votes in the STX/FHCA Div. I National Coaches Poll after taking No. 14 Indiana to overtime last week.
“To get rewarded with votes is nice,” Freese said. “But it’s what you do to respond with it during the next week.”
Central (4-2) plays Northwestern (5-4) at 11 a.m. Sunday at the CMU Field Hockey Complex.
Freese said the Wildcats have a strong team and are similar to Central because they have several players who can make an impact immediately.
“I think we have great balance,” said Northwestern coach Kelly McCollum. “We can call on various players to step up and win us the game.”
Game outlook
What: CMU (4-2) vs. Northwestern (5-4)
When: 11 a.m. Sunday
Where: CMU Field Hockey Complex
Telling stat: 11. Number of votes CMU received in STX/FHCA Div. I
Coaches Poll
The Wildcats won both their games last weekend against Stanford 3-2 and Yale 3-1. Northwestern opens the Big Ten season against Indiana Friday.
“We are familiar with both teams (IU and CMU) and we know what to expect,” McCollum said. “I’m expecting a challenging game.”
Mid-American Conference play begins next weekend for the Chippewas after they play Tuesday against Michigan State.
Freese said she is looking for consistency heading into conference play.
“We just really need to step up together as a team and work as a team so we’re ready for conference play,” said senior Erin Dottery. “I’m really impressed with our defense. We’re working extremely hard.”
Central’s defense had two good games last weekend, allowing just two goals to Indiana in the overtime loss and one goal to Maine in a 2-1 win.
Sophomore back Allison Kist said last weekend showed how well the Chippewas’ defense can play, but there is always room for improvement.
“I want to step up and be more aggressive in the middle to stop the play before it gets into the circle,” she said.
