Field hockey held scoreless in two losses during weekend
Brian ManzulloThe field hockey team failed to tally a single goal in two losses last weekend in Iowa City, Iowa.
No. 6-ranked Iowa beat CMU 9-0 on Friday, while Boston University edged the team 1-0 on Saturday.
"We obviously wanted to come in and get two wins this weekend and to come away with nothing is definitely a disappointment," said junior goalkeeper Melinda Curran.
The team's starting goaltender, junior Kahla Schwall, was replaced after allowing two goals against Iowa. Coach Cristy Freese used Curran and freshman Anastasia Netto for the remainder of the game.
"We obviously played pretty poorly against Iowa," Freese said. "I think Iowa is a pretty good team. Their ranking is a sure indication of what kind of team they are."
Freese said CMU (1-5, 0-1 Mid-American Conference) had more opportunities in the second game against BU, outshooting the Terriers 11-8.
"We did some good things in the first half and we had some shots that hit the post," Freese said. "We outplayed them, but we didn't outscore them, which is why we didn't win the game.
"We got some good shots and some chances, but we just couldn't get it done in the circle and that is a bit frustrating."
Curran stopped four shots in her first collegiate start with CMU.
"It is definitely disappointing that it was one shot and that was the difference in the game," Curran said. "Overall, it was a good game, but it comes down to that one play. ... We need to work on it."
The Chippewas were shut out in three of the last four games. They lost 2-0 to the Miami RedHawks on Sept. 12.
Freese is not concerned about her team's offense despite not scoring a goal over the weekend.
"It doesn't worry me, but I am certainly not happy with it," she said. "I have a lot of respect for Iowa's defense. I always tell our kids that I don't think anybody should shut us out, but the reality is that three teams have shut us out now. We just have to continue doing a better job in our offensive circle and taking shots. That is all we can do."
CMU returns to MAC play this weekend when it plays Ohio at 3 p.m. Friday in Athens, Ohio, and Kent State at 1 p.m. Saturday in Kent, Ohio.
"We are excited to go into the (Mid-American Conference) next weekend," Curran said. "That's where what we do really counts and that is where we need to really shine."
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