The Bobcats remain hungry even with a home tournament match secured.
Ohio heads to Akron today to face the Zips in its final match of the regular season. The Bobcats (9-6-2, 6-2-2 Mid-American Conference) have clinched a first-round home match in the MAC tournament, which will
be played Sunday, but could have more to gain.
An Ohio win coupled with a loss by Eastern Michigan would move the Bobcats to second place - their highest finish since winning the MAC championship in 2004.
With Eastern Michigan playing MAC-leading Central Michigan, there is a good chance that could happen.
We're trying to finish as high as we can
coach Stacy Strauss said. We just want to continue momentum going into the tournament.
The Bobcats are 5-0-1 on the road in MAC play. One more win would break the school's record for road conference wins in a season.
I think that's something that's motivating the players as well Strauss said.
Akron will be a test for the Bobcats. The Zips (8-6-2, 6-3-1 MAC) come into the contest having won five matches in a row.
They sit fourth in the standings and need a win to clinch a first-round home game in the MAC tournament.
After the game, Ohio will wait to see who its opponent will be Sunday. One potential matchup for the Bobcats is Miami, who ruined Ohio's Senior Day by handing the Bobcats a 1-0 defeat at Chessa Field two weeks ago.
We'd have a lot of motivation to take a bit of revenge against Miami Strauss said. And it's always fun to play the Redhawks just because they're our rival.
The Bobcats could also play Toledo in the first round. The Rockets are the defending MAC champions, but Ohio beat them 1-0 on the road earlier this season.
I thought that we matched up pretty well with Toledo
Strauss said.
Whomever their opponents are, don't expect the Bobcats to take them lightly.
Really
we're fine with playing anyone
Strauss said. But any opponent in the MAC is a tough game
and we're going to have to come out and execute to earn a victory.
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Sports
Vince Nairn
