At the beginning of the season, Ohio envisioned entering its final regular season game in contention for the Mid-American Conference regular season crown.
Instead, Ohio will find itself in the spoiler role Saturday against Miami (9-9, 3-1 MAC). The Bobcats hold the MAC tournament tiebreaker over Missouri State, so they will continue to compete in the postseason next week regardless of the result of Saturday’s rivalry game.
After a successful three-week stretch during which they won four of their five games, including an upset of then No. 16 Wake Forest, the Bobcats (8-7, 2-2 MAC) found themselves on the losing end of the equation once again this past weekend, falling to Central Michigan in overtime.
The RedHawks are tied with Central Michigan and Kent State atop the MAC standings and could clinch a share of the conference title with a win Saturday. But the Bobcats are going to do everything in their power to make sure that doesn’t happen and end their regular season on a positive note.
“We’re looking to go in really strong this weekend and fuel us for next weekend going into the MAC tournament,” said senior Laura Mastro. “I think if we can get up on Miami and get a win in before the tournament, it’d be a pretty big advantage for us, so we’re looking to get our momentum going.”
Ohio coach Neil Macmillan is disappointed that the Bobcats couldn’t send their seniors off with a MAC title. He said he’s unsure of what has held Ohio back from reaching its potential this season.
“I don’t know if there’s an easy way to give an answer,” Macmillan said. “If I knew the reason, it’d be sorted out by now.”
The Bobcats feel the frustration as well, but they think a good deal could be solved if they begin to simply put balls in the back of the net. In Ohio’s losses, it has only managed 0.63 goals per game.
“We are creating more opportunities, but we’re not executing when we need to,” said senior Marissa Higgins. “That’s probably the best way to put it. We’re making the opportunities and getting there, but we’re not finishing and putting the ball in the goal.”
That, and the Bobcats’ ability to keep up on the defensive side of the ball — where they have been more consistent this season — will be paramount in Saturday’s rivalry game.
Miami has dominated at home this season, posting a 5-1 record at its Field Hockey Complex.
“When they play at home, they’re a tough team to play against,” Macmillan said. “Their field plays nice and fast and they’re used to that, and they certainly take that into their game plan.”
ch203310@ohiou.edu
