Erika Schmitt and Elyse Merchant do not want to end their careers before it is necessary.
The seniors find the Bobcats (3-9-3, 2-4-2 Mid-American Conference) in ninth place in the MAC standings, sitting just outside of the MAC tournament picture. Ohio is one point behind Miami, which has the eighth and final spot.
Making the MAC tournament would be optimal
Merchant said. It would mean a lot to (the senior) class and to the team to get into the conference tournament. To get into the tournament it would show the amount of effort we have put in throughout the year.
The Bobcats also need to worry about Akron and Kent State, the two teams behind them. Both squads are only one point behind the Bobcats.
We know that we need a win or a tie so we're just looking forward to that
Schmitt said. We need to play hard through the end of the season
and hopefully things will turn out well.
The schedule is not easy, as Central Michigan and Eastern Michigan visit Athens.
Central Michigan (11-3-1, 6-1-1), the first-place team in the MAC, leads the conference in goals scored and goals against average. The Chippewas are led by the top two scorers in MAC play, Amanda Waugh and Erica Rohren. The two have combined for 23 points, which are a combination of goals and assists.
We usually play Central Michigan pretty well
Schmitt said. They are a tough team. We just have to be ready for a physical game and come out strong like we did against Miami.
The Bobcats will also have their hands full against Eastern Michigan on Senior Day. The Eagles (9-4-4, 4-2-2) have the league leader in goals in Chelsea Detrick. She has scored 10 goals so far.
Eastern Michigan has given up only 16 goals, which is fifth in the conference.
We need to build on what we did Sunday offensively
coach Stacy Strauss said. We need to create scoring opportunities and finish. Defensively we will want to keep everything organized.
Despite the unfriendly schedule, Strauss is confident about the Bobcats making the tournament.
We have players that are playing very well and starting to gel
Strauss said.
Strauss also knows the Bobcats can only control their own destiny, not any other team's.
We are only concerned about what we can control at this point
she said.
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