CMU Field hockey splits weekend; Freese one away from 200 wins
Central Michigan field hockey coach Cristy Freese has been two victories shy from eclipsing 200 in her 25-year career at CMU since Sept. 9.
It appeared she might finally reach the milestone when the Chippewas defeated Ball State 5-1 on Saturday and took a 1-0 lead over Miami 1:47 into the second game.
However, RedHawks players Amanda Seeley and Jordan Long had other ideas. They scored goals in the 12th and 45th minute and held on 2-1.
“The effort was really good, but I felt like we played a little bit behind Miami and our philosophy is to pressure and make interceptions,” Freese said. “As a unit we just weren’t all in the same place at the same time when we needed to be.”
The Chippewas had two more shots on goal and four more penalty corners than the RedHawks.
“We didn’t play poorly; I mean it was a 2-1 game.” Freese said. “We went out there and scored first and thought we took the shots at goal.”
Freese knew the quality of Miami’s field hockey team before today’s game.
“(Miami) brings a lot of team speed and probably better passing than what we saw out of Ball State,” Freese said. “I think they’re going to be a big challenge.”
In the first game of the weekend slate the victor did not score first. Ball State scored the first goal of the game in the 14th minute.
CMU freshman Cayleigh Immelman followed by scoring two-straight goals in the next 16 minutes to take the lead.
”I think it helped that overall we thought we were playing well before Ball State scored, but it certainty was important that we got that goal back pretty quick,” Freese said.
Immelman pointed to changes the team took as a reason for the rout of the Cardinals.
“We needed to make a change in terms of everything, whether it be attitude, whether it be the way we played together.” Immelman said. “I think we came out to prove a point.”
Wins seem to come easy for the Chippewas when they have scored more than one goal. Each time they have done so, they've been victorious.
“Our midfield is always going to be key to our success both offensively and defensively,” Freese said. “(They) did a nice job of making some good interceptions and then feeding the ball up to the forwards.”
CMU plays two home games against Missouri State this weekend. The Chippewas were 2-1 against the Bears last season.
