Field hockey begins MAC play with Ball State victory
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The weather was ideal for field hockey as a crowd of about 300 came to see CMU start Mid-American Conference play with a 1-0 win Saturday.
The Chippewas returned to the comfort of the CMU Field Hockey Complex to 64 degrees and rainy weather, creating a slick surface on the turf.
It helped the team to a crucial win to start conference play, and give it momentum into the next match.
“I thought our kids did what we asked in practice,” said head field hockey coach Cristy Freese. “More importantly, they played this game like they knew they had to win a conference game.”
After a scoreless first half, the Chippewas came out fast and scored early. An impressive goal scored by junior forward Cayleigh Immelman was assisted by sophomore midfielder and last week's overtime winner Kaysie Gregory. The score held all game, resulting in an impressive defensive effort by CMU as it held for a shutout.
“I thought our defense played very well, but I always think our offense can score more goals,” Freese said.
The Cardinals came into the match in first place (5-4) in the MAC and CMU in fourth (3-6). The match was the first conference game for both teams.
“(The MAC win) is very big, (and) we don’t have much room for error," Freese said. "There are only five games, and we only have two at home."
The victory is a step forward for the team after a six-game losing streak that came to an end last weekend with an overtime win.
“This to me was a key game for us, because now we have won two in a row ... We go into Kent (State) with momentum and confidence,” Freese said.
The Cardinals travel to Ann Arbor to take No. 19 Michigan on Sunday. The Chippewas then have a week to prepare to take on MAC opponent Kent State, which started its MAC campaign with a 5-2 victory against Missouri State.
The Chippewas will go to head-to-head with the Golden Flashes at 12 p.m. Saturday in Kent, Ohio.
