Alyssa Hile's (Wildwood, Mo.) eleventh goal of the season was not enough to hold off Central Michigan's comeback, as the field hockey Bears dropped their regular-season finale, 3-1.
In the 24th minute, Hile gave the Bears an early lead when she took a Melissa Lantz (Wildwood, Mo.) feed in front of the net and put it away. The play helped the two seniors establish new single-season career highs, Hile in goals and Lantz in assists (nine).
But in a repeat of yesterday's match-up, Central Michigan seized control of the game with three unanswered goals, one before half and two after intermission. Erin Dye scored the first two Chippewa goals, while yesterday's main culprit Kelly Jordan closed the scoring with her eleventh goal of the season. Between the two games this weekend, Jordan had four goals and one assist.
The Bears could not mount a comeback despite being out shot by only two (eight to six) and earning more penalty corners, five to four.
The loss gives the Bears a final regular-season record of 4-15, 1-9 in the MAC. The Chippewas improved to 7-12 overall, 4-6 in the MAC.
Missouri State now heads to the Mid-American Conference Tournament for its game Thursday, Nov. 5 in Muncie, Ind. The Bears earned the sixth seed and will face third-seeded Miami (Ohio) at 1 p.m.