Sports
Bobcat Field Hockey Takes On Bears and Spartans
By: Milan Lavender
Posted on:
Bobcat field hockey returns to the turf for the weekend, and the team will start with a Mid-American Conference matchup, then take an out-of-conference break against the Missouri State Bears and Michigan State Spartans, respectively.
The Bobcats (5-5, 1-0) sit in second place in the early days of MAC play, behind the Miami RedHawks (7-6, 2-0).
Missouri State fell to the RedHawks in its first conference matchup on Friday, leaving the Bears with a 3-9 record. The ‘Cats look to be in position for a win, and history is on their side as Ohio holds the all-time series lead of 23-9-1. Although Ohio has claimed victory in five straight seasons, the Bears key players of 2015 offer stellar performances that will require the Bobcats to be at the top of their game.
Freshman goalkeeper Feli Heinzel has played in just two games for the Bears, and both ended not only with wins, but with shutouts as well.
Should Heinzel compete against the ‘Cats, her talent will require extra precision from Ohio when attempting to score if the Bobcats make it that far down the field. Freshman defender Emily Tran has given the Bears added coverage in the back, showcasing her talent in all of Missouri State’s games this season , and continuing to excel after claiming her first-career goal on Sunday.
The matchup is set to begin at 4 p.m. on Friday from Springfield, Missouri.
Ohio will return home on Sunday to compete against the Spartans with home field advantage.
Michigan State currently sits with an overall record of 4-8, however key Spartan players closely mimic the talent level of the Bobcats, making for a hard game for both squads. The Spartan’s sophomore start and Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week, Sophie Macadre, takes the leader board at 17 total points, which matches Ohio’s Maria Russell. Macadre also takes first place along with Michigan State junior Megan Fenton for total goals, sitting at six and trailing Russell’s total of eight.
Redshirt senior Heather Howie’s five assists matches Macadre’s total. The two create a dynamic duo that threatens any team seated to compete against Michigan State.
The Spartans and Bobcats match up from Pruitt Field at 1 p.m.