The Ohio field hockey team, coming off two straight tightly contested home losses, is heading to Bloomington, Ind., this weekend. The Bobcats are slated to face an Indiana Hoosier program that is currently ranked 12th in the nation according to the first STX/NFHCA poll of the season, thanks to their impressive 4-1 start. However, Indiana's rank is of little concern to the Bobcats.
I don't really think it's an issue at all. We're just concentrating on getting ourselves back in good shape. While getting ready for IU
we'll take a look at them coach Neil Macmillan said. I don't really think too much of (Indiana's ranking). It's not a huge bother to me at this stage.
While ranking may not be an issue, Indiana's play is. The quickness of their forwards is a key ingredient to IU's potent offense, which has already led to two players recording hat tricks on separate occasions this season. As a result, Ohio has been focusing on strengthening their defensive efforts during the past week of practice.
We know that they're a quick speedy team. So
we've been working on hard defense and stepping up
senior co-captain Erica Bundalo said. We also know that they use a big ball out of the back
so we've been working on little things like stopping them up high.
Working on specific defensive aspects, as well as overall preparation, was somewhat easier than usual this week for Ohio, as this game marks the first time in the 2005 season that the Bobcats will face just one opponent in a weekend. However, the Hoosiers will not only have to concentrate on their Saturday match-up against Ohio, but also their game the following day against Southwest Missouri State.
The preparation will just be better for us in general. We want to put all of our goals into this game. Our scouting report and everything we're doing is based on one game
so we don't have to worry about the next game a day later
senior goalkeeper Jennifer Cote said. We just get to focus on this game and what we have to do to win. We're going to take all of our focus and energy on that field on that day.
Ohio and Indiana are set to square off at 1 p.m. tomorrow at John Mellencamp Pavilion.
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