After weeks of having a target on her team's back, Lindsay Schwartz is ready take aim at a favored opponent again.
The No. 15 Ohio field hockey team takes on No. 6 Michigan tomorrow in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament. The Wolverines are the highest-ranked opponent Ohio has faced since No. 5 Wake Forest Sept. 15.
The Bobcats were constantly the heavy favorite during Mid-American Conference play, Schwartz said, so she's excited to have a chance to play spoiler once again.
I feel like it's back to the beginning of our season
she said, alluding to Ohio's 2-1 upset of then-No. 4 Duke in the season opener. At this point we basically have nothing to lose. We're here to go all the way. We're here to make a statement.
Marcy Dull echoed Schwartz's sentiments.
Coming in as the underdog you're definitely going to surprise people if you play well
she said. You can give them what they don't expect.
Ohio's non-conference schedule should play to its advantage during the tournament, coach Neil Macmillan said. Ohio faced four ranked opponents, defeating two. Now that the team is facing that level of competition again, the prior experience is only going to help, he said.
I don't think there will be a huge inspirational speech that I'll need to do
he said. We're going to be pumped up because it's such a big game.
The Bobcats played progressively tougher opponents heading into the weekend. Beginning with its final home game against Missouri State, Ohio faced an opponent with a better record in each subsequent game.
The schedule leading up to Michigan seemed almost perfect, Macmillan said.
It's been building up
he said. We've been fortunate. We've been seeing different styles of hockey in at least portions of every game.
Despite the success against quality opponents, the Sweet 16 is still somewhat uncharted territory for the Ohio program, whose only previous appearance in the NCAA Tournament was in 2001. That team lost in the round of 16.
Although making history is nice, Dull said the team isn't happy with just making an appearance.
We're here to win
she said. We're not just satisfied just to be here right now.
In a single-elimination tournament, Schwartz said she and the other Ohio seniors know each contest could be their last, and they intend to leave all they have on the field.
I try to step on the field every time with the same mentality as always
she said. I want to do everything I can
so that I don't look back thinking
'What if I had that opportunity to do it over again?'
To prepare the team to play its best, Macmillan said he gave the squad an intense, but short, practice on Wednesday. The Bobcats will practice again today, and Macmillan said he's been pleased with how the team responded after Tuesday's tough double-overtime win against American.
We've been talking about this for a long time
he said. This was our goal
