MOUNT PLEASANT - The field hockey team opened its 2012 season on a wet and unseasonably chilly Thursday with the beginning of preseason training camp at the CMU Field Hockey Complex.
After completing an early morning fitness test and conditioning session, the Chippewas transitioned into technical drills to finish out the morning - all the while battling rain, wind and temperatures in the mid-60s. The conditions improved for a scrimmage in the evening session, which served to get the veterans into the swing of game action and introduce the nine freshmen to competition at a Division I level.
"It was the first practice, and I came out wanting to push them very hard," head coach Cristy Freese said. “I think we did that, even though we came out a little bit slow we finished a lot stronger.”
Throughout the duration of the two practice sessions the senior and upperclassmen leaders both mentored and pushed the underclassmen and freshmen, which is a dynamic Freese believes will be crucial to the team’s success this season.
“Those seniors and the other older players really need to be good mentors for the young players and set the pace for the team,” Freese said. “They need to show them how it gets done through tough drills and tough practices.”
Though the Chippewas scrimmaged for the first time this season on Thursday, the first official, formal scrimmage will take place on Saturday, Aug. 18.
One week later, the Chippewas will open their season against Radford at the Robert Morris Tournament. The first home game for the Chippewas will be Friday, Sept. 21, at 2 p.m. at the CMU Field Hockey Complex.
