Freese seeks team play
Field hockey coach Cristy Freese was visibly upset after her team lost its first game of the season Sunday.
She said her team tried to play as individuals — not as a team — in its 3-0 loss to Saint Louis at the CMU Field Hockey Complex.
“We have to learn to move together, play as a team and not let one person try to do something,” Freese said. “Our strength is never going to be one player.”
CMU dropped to 2-1 on the season.
The lack of team play also was recognized by the players.
“We just didn’t play together,” said senior back Courtney Blanchard. “We need to know that we need to be together out there and not play individually.”
Up Next
- A CMU (2-1) plays in Kent, Ohio against Colgate for its only game this weekend
The Billikens made the most of their opportunities early in the game, scoring two goals on their first two shots.
Central also had many chances, with 13 penalty corners in the game, compared to six for SLU.
“(SLU) scored on their opportunities,” Freese said.
The Chippewas started the weekend with a 2-1 win in the opening game against the Billikens Saturday.
SLU took a 1-0 lead into halftime, but CMU tied the game with 14 minutes left on a goal by Blanchard.
Senior forward Alicia Balanesi took a rebound off the post and put it in the net for the game winner just five minutes later.
“It was a relief,” Balanesi said of her goal. “I knew we needed it and I was there to put it in.”
CMU outshot the Billikens 16-6 in the second half.
The Chippewas look to rebound from their loss Saturday against Colgate in Kent, Ohio.
