Field hockey sweeps Missouri State
The field hockey team boosted its Mid-American Conference record to one game above the .500 mark this weekend with two wins against Missouri State.
The Chippewas (6-10, 5-4 MAC) defeated the Bears 3-1 Saturday in the first game and 2-0 in the second Sunday afternoon.
Sunday's game brought similar results to the first game. Junior Tara Schilitz buried her third game-winning goal in as many games by bouncing a shot off Bears goaltender Jessica Schuster. Allison Kist then would add to the lead with her second goal of the season.
Coach Cristy Freese liked the overnight adjustment CMU made to shut out the Bears.
"Defensively we were able to contain a little better and keep the ball in our half of the field," she said. "I think that we put them under a little pressure and making them attempt passes that they normally wouldn't try and we intercepted them."
The Chippewas recorded their second shutout, both behind goalkeeper Melinda Curran. Curran faced seven shots.
"Mel played really well this weekend," Freese said. "I thought she was really solid in the goal for us and she just works really well with our defense. They have a lot of confidence in her defense and the defense has a great deal of confidence in her."
Schilitz said the two wins will help the Chippewas mentally going into the postseason.
"I think these games are giving us some extra confidence moving into our final MAC game and the tournament," Schilitz said. "Really, we just take every game one at a time."
In Saturday's game, the Chippewas started the scoring with senior Samantha Sandham's 11th goal of the season just 6:10 into the game. Missouri State scored the equalizer when Alyssa Hile notched her ninth goal in the 21st minute to tie the game at 1. The score would remain tied until just 3:30 left in the half, when Schilitz recorded her second straight winning goal.
"I think it is a matter of just being in the right place at the right time," Schilitz said. "Whenever I am in the circle I just try to get my stick on the ball and they have been going in."
Freese is happy with Schilitz's play of late.
"Tara has done a nice job," she said. "I think when she scored against Ohio a few weeks game here the confidence and made her step her game up. She is really pushing herself into the circle and contributing more often."
The Chippewas held on to a one-goal advantage until freshman Paulina Lee scored her third goal of the season with 4:39 remaining. Lee had a goal and an assist while registering her first career multi-point game.
"She has done a really nice job for us," "She has gotten more playing time coming off the bench. We like her coming off the bench with energy."
The team looks to close out the regular season next weekend when at home against Ball State and Michigan State.
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