Recap courtesy of Central Michigan Athletic Communications
Central Michigan 2, Michigan State 1
Box Score
EAST LANSING, Mich. – Central Michigan Field Hockey defeated Michigan State 2-1, Friday, Nov. 11 to close out the regular season. Central Michigan moves to 10-8, the Spartans fall to 5-13.
"It's an exciting way for us to finish the regular season. We started our season with a scrimmage against Michigan State. To finish it with a win before we head to Virginia is awesome. It's a tribute to how special this team is and how connected they are, it's a fun group. This is a season that you don't want to see end because it's just such an incredible group of girls." Central Michigan Head Coach and former Michigan State assistant coach Jennifer Johnstone said.
Central Michigan stands at 10 wins for the first time since 2006, and logged its first victory over the Spartans since 2007.
Mallory Camryn buried her 18th goal of the season after being fed down low by Mora Rulli 90 seconds into the game. It was Camryn's 18th goal of the season, the most in a single season by a Chippewa since 1985.
"Mal is so skilled if she's in front of the cage around a keeper, but what makes her special is her vision to use her teammates. She played the ball so well to our forwards in the fourth quarter, that's what allowed us to get that go ahead goal. She was playing in the midfield, and passing to the forwards really helped us generate some push at the end of the game.
"She's a great player and not only does she score goals, but she sets her teammates up, it just gives us more weapons. It makes it harder for other teams when we're in our attacking 25."
Camryn found herself in the scorebook for a second time with a long pass to Cameron Pluciennik who dribbled low to the keeper and buried the winner, the first of her career.
"Cam is so fast and she's just such an athlete. She found a way this weekend for us to put it in the net when we needed her to. I think that's a tribute to how hard she has worked."
Starting keeper Ashley Cogger logged five saves on the day. Friday's victory marks her 10th win of the season.
"Ashley played phenomenal in cage today. She stepped up and was a huge part of that win."
Central Michigan will travel to Harrisonburg, Va. To open the Mid-American Conference Tournament, Wednesday, Nov. 5. The Chippewas, coming in as the fifth seed will take on hosts, #4 James Madison at 11:30 a.m.
"We're excited to be in the MAC tournament, and we're excited to travel to Virginia. We're really excited to see what our team can do in postseason play.
"I think we're really happy to finish a weekend with two wins going into conference tournament. We are really moving this bus in the right direction.
"It's been an exciting year. It's one of those years that you just don't want to end because it's such a great group. We're going to keep going and play as long as we can together."
