MOUNT PLEASANT - For the second straight meeting, the Central Michigan field hockey team played neck and neck with Miami. Unfortunately, the Chippewas once again found themselves on the short end of the final score as they dropped a 2-1 overtime decision to the RedHawks at the CMU Field Hockey Complex on Sunday..
Pam Seufert got the Chippewas (3-5, 1-2 Mid-American) started on the right foot when she drove home a loose ball for her third goal of the season just 2:54 into the match. Kelly Jordan assisted on the play, her third helper of the weekend.
"We got off to a very good start today," head coach Cristy Freese said. "I thought the players came out with a lot of confidence and energy off of yesterday's win over Ball State."
MU evened the score seven minutes later when Maggie Marcum walked the ball in from the left side and got behind the CMU defense for her fifth tally of the season. The score remained 1-1 going into halftime and Central owned an 8-7 advantage in shots.
The Chippewas struggled to find offense in the second half and were pinned in their own end for several long stretches. Strong defense and even better goalkeeping by Melinda Curran kept the RedHawks off the board despite MU holding a 9-2 edge in shots in the second half.
"Our defense responded well and Melinda made some huge saves for us," Freese said. "Miami is a good team and holding them to one goal in regulation is hard to do."
Central created some opportunities in overtime; Jordan got possession of the ball near the Miami goal twice but ran out of real estate both times. The Chippewas had a glorious opportunity to pull out a victory after Kim Erasmus broke up a 5-on-1 RedHawk rush and create a counterattack one for CMU. Unfortunately, the key pass to spring Jordon on a 2-on-1 was just out of her reach as MU dodged a bullet.
Marcum ended the contest with her second goal when she redirected a crossing feed 8:40 into the extra session.
The RedHawks ended the contest with a 19-12 advantage in shots while the Chippewas finished with a 9-8 edge in penalty corners.
Curran was stellar once again in goal. The senior made nine saves, several in spectacular fashion, out of 11 Miami attempts.
"We did some very good things today, despite the loss," Freese said. "We have improved our level of play each week and I think we're going to be in good shape if we can build off our performance this weekend going into next week."
The Chippewas return to action on Friday when they host defending MAC champion Kent State.
Courtesy: Robert Barclay/CMU
