Sports
Ohio Field Hockey Begins MAC Tournament Play at Miami Friday
By: Ryan Scott
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Ohio is entering the MAC Tournament as the No. 4 seed. But as the defending MAC Champions, the Bobcats are confident that they can win the title.
Head Coach Neil Macmillan is confident in his team, and believes it has a good chance to repeat as MAC champs. But to do that Ohio will need to have a focused mindset going into the tournament.
"We feel pretty comfortable against these teams," said Macmillan. "Our record doesn't reflect how good we are. We let some games slip, and should have beat Kent State and Miami."
The Bobcats will have their chance at redemption against at least one of those teams. Ohio opens MAC Tournament play against No. 1 seed Miami Friday. Miami beat Ohio 3-1 in this season’s only meeting between the two schools on Oct. 27 in Oxford. That loss snapped a three-game Ohio win streak against the Miami.
"We realize that every game could be our last," said Macmillan. "We are going to give it our all."
Cathryn Altdoerffer, a senior who was selected First Team All-MAC Thursday, believes in her team’s ability to focus on each game.
"We're going to take it one game at a time," Altdoerffer stated. "We have been playing very well. We want the gold medal, and I think we can win it."
Altdoerffer, who has two goals and five assists, is a leader on the team. Senior Taylor Brown was also selected First Team All-MAC and leads the team in both goals and assists with 11 and eight respectively. Brown’s 30 points this season are good for second in the MAC.
Ohio’s Marissa Higgins, Laura Mastro and Jessica Jue were also recognized by the MAC Thursday, earning Second Team honors. All three players made strong midfield contributions for Ohio this season.
Despite being snubbed from All-MAC recognition, goalkeeper Brittany Walker will need to continue her strong paly to give the Bobcats a chance to win. Walker, a three-time MAC Defensive Player of the Week this season, recorded 72 saves, a .742 save percentage and the MAC’s lowest goals against average (1.85).
Ohio and Miami are scheduled to begin play in Oxford Friday at noon.