Courtesy: Robert Barclay/CMU

MOUNT PLEASANT — Kelly Jordan recorded her second collegiate hat trick and added an assist to propel the Central Michigan field hockey team to a 4-1 victory over Mid-American Conference foe Missouri State on Saturday.

The Chippewas (6-12, 3-6 Mid-American) won their second straight contest and secured at least the fifth seed in next week’s MAC Tournament in Muncie, Ind.

The match began slowly as neither team generated many shots in the first 20 minute of play. With under 10 minutes remaining in the opening frame, the teams combined for only seven shot attempts, with the Chippewas owning a 4-3 advantage.

CMU drew first blood in the 28th minute when Jordan took the ball down the left side and beat MSU goalkeeper Mackenzie Crawford to the near post for her eighth goal of the season.

The Maroon and Gold struck again just over a minute and a half later when Brooke Sihota redirected Jordan’s attempt off a penalty corner for her fourth tally of the year as the Chippewas held a 2-0 lead at the break.

Jordan netted her second goal of the afternoon just 5:22 into the second half when she beat Crawford with a shot off another penalty corner. Kim Erasmus and Pam Seufert each garnered assists on the play.

The Burt, N.Y. native gave CMU a 4-0 lead in the 44th minute when Erin Dye’s pass sprung her loose in the attacking circle. The goal gave Jordan her first hat trick since the 2005 MAC Tournament finals, which CMU won, against Miami.

“Today was a good effort, especially offensively,” head coach Cristy Freese said. “I give some credit to (assistant coach) Earl Marais. He suggested moving her to the left side in practice and we made the move about 10 minutes in. Kelly created a lot of chances from that position.”

MSU’s Melissa Lantz ended CMU’s shutout bid with her 15th goal with 5:17 remaining.

The Chippewas finished with a dominant, 19-5, advantage in shots and an equally impressive 9-2 edge in penalty corners.

Melinda Curran got the nod in goal and stopped all three shots she faced in 60:45 of action. Kahla Schwall closed out the contest for the Chippewas.

The Chippewas play the Bears again on Sunday at noon for both team’s regular season finale.