Field hockey hosts high-scoring MU
The field hockey team will need to shut down one of the Mid-American Conference's top offenses as it begins conference play this weekend.
Miami University scored eight goals in a win against Sacred Heart last Saturday and averages five goals scored per game - best in the MAC.
CMU hosts the RedHawks at 2 p.m. today. It will then host Colgate at noon on Sunday at the CMU Field Hockey Complex.
"Miami has scored a lot this season," said coach Cristy Freese. "The response needs to be good team play by us, in terms of our defense. They put you under so much pressure that you have to do a good job at it."
Miami has outscored opponents 20-5 in four games this season. Last season, the RedHawks ranked in the upper half of the MAC's offensive categories. They ranked first in scoring average and second in both goals and assists.
Miami boasts three players who have scored two goals. Seniors Teja Kammler and Danielle Gaynor and freshman Jackie Nguyen are tied with CMU sophomore Brooke Sihota in fourth place.
"That is what makes it difficult, because it is not about shutting one person down, it is a matter of shutting the whole offense down," Freese said.
Last season, CMU lost 5-3 and 4-2 against Miami and 2-1 against Colgate.
"I feel like we can beat Miami but it's always a tough game, they are a tough team for us to match up with," Freese said. "It is more important how we play as a team, we need to put them under some of the pressure. I think a lot of our success is because we are more of the aggressor and we stepped up and made some interceptions."
Against such a powerful offense, the team has been making defensive adjustments to shut down the RedHawks' attack.
"We are working on body positioning so we can break them down before they get to our (defensive) circle," said junior Kim Erasmus. "They have such a good offensive unit that we want to break them down before they even get to the circle so that there is no panicking between the defense."
The team feels that it experienced some of what it will see this weekend after its losses to Stanford and Syracuse.
"Sometimes you can't simulate in practice some of the things that other teams can do," Freese said. "The offense for Syracuse and Stanford were good passing teams and we will see that out of Colgate and Miami."
Erasmus said Central needs to be consistent if it is going to begin with a conference win.
"We, as a team, should just keep on fighting and playing the full 70 minutes," she said. "As a team I know we are confident."
sports@cm-life.com
