Nikki Gnozzio isn't worried about last year. The past is past.
The two years don't really have anything to do with each other
the defender said. Two different seasons. Two different teams. Two different mentalities.
No. 16 Ohio will host No. 17 American at 1 p.m. today for a spot in the NCAA Tournament. Last season, the Bobcats played California in the same situation and fell short 1-0.
Coming off an emotional 3-2 Mid-American Conference Championship Game overtime win over Miami on Saturday, goalkeeper Jessie Martin said she thinks things will be different this time around.
We want the right outcome this time she said. We're more prepared this year and we're more experienced. I think we're ready to do some great things.
Last season's loss to the Golden Bears was played in Berkeley, Calif., but Ohio will get a shot at the tournament at home this season. The Bobcats went undefeated at home during the regular season, and Martin said playing at a familiar venue can only help the team.
I know our seniors are really pumped to have another game on (Peggy Pruitt Field)
she said. We love our home field. We love our fans. We love our parents. I think we'll have a really good crowd tomorrow.
But the Eagles will bring a fair share of playoff experience to Athens. They defeated Lafayette 3-1 Saturday to capture the Patriot League Tournament championship for the fifth straight season.
With a win over the Bobcats, American would advance to its fifth consecutive NCAA Tournament. The Eagles lost 5-0 to eventual national champion Wake Forest in the first round of the 2006 tournament.
Ohio coach Neil Macmillan said his team might hold a small advantage after playing in last year's play-in game, but the effect should be minimal.
The big experience in a big game is as much with them as it is with us
he said, noting that the success of American coach Steve Jennings in a weaker conference is something Macmillan hoped to emulate at Ohio.
It might be a bonus
but realistically
this is going to be a very close
competitive field hockey game.
Despite a short week of practice, Martin said the excitement of Saturday's win should help carry the Bobcats through against the Eagles.
We're so pumped about the win
she said. Our intensity and our excitement will be high
and I think we'll be ready to play.
It is win or go home
Gnozzio added. We have to be organized and try to get everything together.
The Eagles are the highest-ranked team Ohio has faced since No. 5 Wake Forest Sept. 15 and present one of the most potent offenses in the country. Going into this past weekend, American was ranked seventh in the nation with 3.17 goals per game.
The Bobcats looked to correct mistakes from the MAC Championship Game, Macmillan said, and to prepare as best they could for American in the two days of practice they had this week.
There were a lot of things we had to correct from the Miami game
