Ohio (4-8-5 overall, 2-4-4 Mid-American Conference) will host rivals Miami (8-5-2 overall, 5-2-2 MAC) Thursday at 3 p.m. at Chessa Field in Athens, Ohio.
This Battle of the Bricks matchup is the last regular-season game for the Bobcats, and it will be huge for MAC tournament standings.
Match Info:
Opponent: Miami University RedHawks
Location: Chessa Field (Athens, Ohio)
Time: Thursday at 3 p.m.
Watch: ESPN+
Follow live stats here
After a fiery 3-0 victory over Northern Illinois University on Sunday, the Bobcats are entering the final stretch of the regular season with a renewed sense of confidence. Meanwhile, the RedHawks, winners of two of their last three, will look to solidify their position at fifth place in the MAC standings.
For both teams, this matchup carries postseason weight as Ohio is fighting to stay alive in the race, and Miami is aiming to secure a higher seed in the conference.
The Bobcats found their rhythm offensively in recent weeks, now with 16 goals on the season. Averaging 12.6 shots per game, Ohio has outshot its opponents 214 to 154. Leading the charge is sophomore forward Iro Fakinou, who has four goals and one assist.
Alongside Fakinou, Quintin Tostevin has matched Fakinou with four goals of her own, while Sania Dearing has added three goals, continuing to create chances with her pace on the wing.
Jaimason Brooker, who notched her first goal of the season against NIU, leads the team in total shots with 34 and has been pivotal in driving Ohio’s offense down the pitch. Midfielder Anna Burchett and defender Kate Robinson have also contributed crucial goals this fall, giving Ohio more balance in the attacking third.
In the net, senior goalkeeper Celeste Sloma has been a steady anchor all season, recording 60 saves and a 0.94 goals-against average. With four clean sheets this season, including Sunday’s shutout, Sloma’s consistency gives the Bobcats a strong defensive backbone heading into this upcoming heated rivalry matchup.
However, Miami enters Thursday’s contest with one of the MAC’s most efficient attacks. The RedHawks have scored 20 goals in 15 games and have proven tough to break down, conceding only 14 goals on their opponent’s end.
Forward Katie O’Malley leads the team with five goals and four assists, totaling 14 points for the season. O’Malley is supported by Kayla Perfect and Millie Cook, who have a combined six goals and five assists, providing Miami with a balanced offense.
The RedHawks’ defense, anchored by goalkeeper Dominique Popa, has been equally impressive. Popa holds a 0.93 goals-against average with eight shutouts and a .714 save percentage this season. Her ability to command the box has helped Miami maintain control late in tight games and will prove tough for the Bobcats.
Statistically, Miami and Ohio are nearly identical in shots per game, both averaging 12.6, but the RedHawks have been more strategic in front of the goal, converting at a 10.6% rate compared to Ohio’s 7.5%. Set pieces could prove decisive, since both teams have been aggressive on corner kicks. Ohio holds a slight advantage with 76 to Miami’s 73.
For the Bobcats to pull off the win, they will have to rely on midfield control and capitalize on their possession transitions to pressure Miami’s back line. Thursday’s game marks the final home match of the season for the Bobcats, adding some additional emotional weight to an already fierce rivalry.
With both teams battling for momentum heading into the MAC Tournament, fans can expect a competitive and high-energy contest at Chessa Field.
