Sports
Ohio Field Hockey Battles Miami on Saturday
By: Milan Lavender
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Ohio field hockey dropped to third in Mid-American Conference standings after losses over the weekend against Kent State and Northwestern, but now the ‘Cats (8-8, 3-2) will compete against rival Miami this Saturday in hopes of ending the regular season with a winning record.
Miami currently sits atop the leaderboard with an overall record of 10-7 and MAC record of 4-1. The RedHawks claimed victory over Central Michigan this past weekend in a 5-0 win.
Miami’s three seniors dominated the game and contributed greatly to the win over the Golden Flashes. RedHawk senior Angela Amon scored her first career goal this past weekend, and surely must be excited to add to that total against the Bobcats this weekend.
Senior Bea Dechant leads the team with 10 total goals for the season, followed by freshman Paula Portugal’s eight goals and junior Geagy Pritchard’s seven.
Miami offers an extreme threat both offensively and defensively to the Ohio Bobcats. Several offensive players handle the ball with extreme skill, relying on teamwork rather than one players’ ability. Senior Anna McQuaid is one of the RedHawks’ key defensive backs.
The Bobcats will need to collaborate efficiently and effectively if they hope to leave the field with the win. Despite Miami’s loaded offense, the Bobcats can counter with four of their own key offensive players that pose a threat to Miami’s defense. Maria Russel still leads the team in total goals at 12, followed by Adele Sammons’s nine, Clarissa Leickly’s six, and Elena Curley’s five.
Over the weekend two Bobcat seniors set some career highs. Leickly set a new high in goals, and Sammons set a new career mark with 11 assists.
Bobcat goalkeeper Lina Trucco will need to be on top of her game for the battle against the RedHawks. Trucco trails Miami goalkeeper Alysa Xavier’s 79 saves by 10.
The RedHawks are eyeing another MAC title, but the Bobcats are looking to be a stumbling block in Miami’s path.
The game is set to begin at 1 p.m. on Saturday from the Bobcats’ Pruitt Field.