CMU field hockey loses game against MSU
Central Michigan falls to 3-10 on the season
With less than a minute to go in the game, Central Michigan field hockey needed a break on offense. After being given a penalty corner attempt because of a Michigan State foul, junior forward Mallory Camryn took the ball from her teammate senior midfielder Kaitlyn Bowker and put the ball in the net for the first goal of the game for the Chippewas.
Unfortunately for Central Michigan, it was too little too late, as Michigan State had built up a lead throughout the game that the Chippewas could not overcome, leading to a 3-1 victory for the Spartans on Sunday.
Michigan State held the advantage in past matchups, having won all of the two team’s last 10 meetings before Sunday.
Despite keeping them scoreless in the first half, the Chippewas were outshot by Michigan State 22-8 throughout the game as the Spartans cruised to a victory in Mt. Pleasant.
“I'm really pleased with the hockey we played for 60 minutes today," head coach Jennifer Johnstone said. "I think if we play that way, I'm really excited about what the next three weeks of our season means. So, I thought we really stuck to the game plan. We did a good job of possessing the ball. We made the most of our attacking outcomes and our defense was really solid today.”
It was a back and forth game to start, with both teams finding their footing offensively early. The Spartans were given the first penalty corner chance about five minutes into the game, but were unable to score with the opportunity.
The Chippewas had several chances to score late in the first quarter as they were given three penalty corner attempts in a row. However, the team wasn’t able to score on any of them, leaving the game scoreless.
The action continued as both teams battled it out for the lead in the second period. There were five corner attempts combined for both teams in the first six minutes of the second, but neither team found the net.
The Spartans finally scored the first goal of the match as MSU senior forward Emma O’Neill put the ball into the net during a penalty corner attempt with seven minutes left in the half.
The Chippewa’s defense was strong as they stopped the Spartans on six of their seven penalty corner opportunities in the first half.
“I mean, again, we’re always gonna scout the opponent, but I think it helps that we have two seniors who are back there on the DPC (defensive penalty corner) unit… So I think our defenders were really locked in today and did a fantastic job,” Johnstone said. “So, defensive penalty corners are a big part of that.”
As rain began to fall, Michigan State continued where it left off in the first half. Just four and a half minutes into the third quarter, Spartans freshman midfielder Lilian Knorr scored a goal to extend the lead for the Spartans.
With about six minutes left in the quarter, Camryn was given a yellow card, leaving Central Michigan down a player for five minutes. Using the advantage, O’Neill scored her second goal of the game, increasing the lead to 3-0 for the Spartans.
Despite being down big late in the game, the Chippewas continued to fight in the fourth quarter. With about a minute left in the game, Camryn used the penalty corner and the assist from Bowker to score a goal for Central Michigan.
Unfortunately for them, it was too late for a comeback as the team lost 3-1 to the Spartans.
After the game, the Chippewas took time to celebrate the seniors who will be graduating from the team.
“We've been really looking to them and we've been telling the girls how important it is to play for them because this is the last month that they get to play hockey in our Chippewa uniform,” Johnstone said.
The Chippewas are on the road for their next game as they travel to play against Kent State in a conference matchup at 2 p.m. on Friday.
