Two wins clinch title
The last time the field hockey team won a regular season Mid-American Conference Championship was 2002.
None of the current players were on that team, but they have a chance this weekend to win one of their own.
CMU (10-8 overall, 5-3 MAC) is a game-and-a half back from MAC-leading Ohio (10-7, 7-2 MAC). CMU plays at 3 p.m. today in Athens, Ohio, against the Bobcats.
A win against OU and another win Saturday against Kent State would give CMU a share of the regular season MAC Championship.
“Last week we were playing to just stay in contention,” said sophomore forward Samantha Sandham. “Now we’re playing for a title.”
Central had a 4-3 win against Ball State and a 3-2 win against Miami last weekend to put them in position.
Last place Missouri State (1-7 in MAC) is the only other MAC team besides Central to have two conference games left this weekend.
“We have to win two games to win a championship,” said coach Cristy Freese.
Weekend outlook
- What: CMU at Ohio, 3 p.m today; CMU at Kent State, 11 a.m. Saturday
- Telling stat: Two wins would clinch share of title
Defensively, the focus will be the middle of the field.
“Ohio is a team that tries to beat us down the middle of the field,” Freese said. “We have to get the ball to the outside.”
Ohio is led by junior forward Torrie Albini, who has 28 points on 10 goals.
“We always want to limit the shots from the middle of the field,” said senior goalkeeper Danielle Frank. “We need to focus on not breaking down.”
CMU plays at 11 a.m. Saturday at Kent State (6-13, 3-6 MAC). With Ball State and Miami tied for third place in the MAC at 5-4, the Chippewas have little room for error.
A loss or two would drop CMU to third or fourth place in the MAC.
“In practice we are being reminded to stay focused and to keep working as a team,” said senior back Cortney Blanchard.
