Quartet of seniors play final two field hockey home games
It will be an emotional weekend for the four senior members of the field hockey team.
Forward Alicia Balanesi, goalkeeper Danielle Frank and backs Cortney Blanchard and Erin Dottery will play at the CMU Field Hockey Complex for the final time in a pair of matches today and Saturday.
CMU (8-8 overall, 3-3 Mid-American Conference) hosts Ball State at 3 p.m. today and Miami at 1 p.m. Saturday.
“It really starts to hit you that it’s ending soon,” Dottery said.
But the moment could not come at a more crucial time for Central.
CMU still has a shot a MAC title, but must play well this weekend to stay on pace.
The Cardinals (6-9 overall, 5-2 MAC) won their fifth straight game Tuesday against Miami to move into a first-place tie with Ohio.
“They were a little young last year, sort of like we are this year,” Freese said. “It’s not surprising to see them do so well.”
Ball State’s winning streak started after it won the first meeting against Central 2-1.
Weekend outlook
- What: CMU vs. Ball State, CMU vs. Miami
- When: 3 p.m. Friday, 1 p.m. Saturday
- Where: CMU Field Hockey Complex
“We’ve corrected the mistakes we made the first time and it’s all about coming out with a different attitude,” Balanesi said.
The Chippewas lost 1-0 to the RedHawks (7-10, 4-3 MAC) the first time they played each other in Miami.
Blanchard said the defense wants to keep the ball to the outside to prevent Ball State and Miami from coming down the middle of the circle.
“Both Ball State and Miami are good teams and we’re going to have to be at our best as a team to beat them,” Freese said.
Balanesi, Blanchard, Dottery and Frank will be honored Saturday in their final home match.
The senior group played a key role as members of last season’s MAC Tournament Championship.
Frank said one of the best memories of playing at the Field Hockey Complex was winning the tournament on Central’s home field.
“This is a special group of seniors,” said coach Cristy Freese. “I’m proud of what they have given to the program and their leadership.”
