The Miami University field hockey team will play their first home game against the Indiana University Hoosiers (IU) Sept. 17.

"I'm excited for us to be playing at home," Head Coach Jill Reeve said. "The road trips have been fun, but it will be nice to showcase what we've been working on as a team."

The RedHawks have already competed against the Hoosiers this year in a preseason match up. The Hoosiers defeated the RedHawks 6-4, but overall the teams were evenly matched. The game went into overtime, which eventually led to a shootout.

Reeve sees the advantages of already playing IU.

"Our team grew throughout the scrimmage," Reeve said. "I thought it was useful as it exposed what we need to cover. It was a good test, Indiana is a good team."

Because the RedHawks have already played IU this season, they have a slight advantage they do not usually have before most matches. The girls already know what to expect from the Hoosiers. Both teams have had several weeks to practice since the preseason match, making each team stronger than before.

IU was ranked 19 nationally in preseason polls, but fell out of the rankings after losing to Boston College 1-0. Both the Hoosiers and the RedHawks are currently unranked, but the RedHawks stand higher in the Kookaburra point system. The Hoosiers are currently 2-2.

Senior Christine Brightwell is ready to take on the challenge.

"I am excited about playing these teams who have similar play as us," Brightwell said. "There's nothing better to a competitor than coming up against worthy opponents. If we put in the hard work, no one can stop us."

The RedHawks then will travel to Evanston, Ill. Sept. 19 to take on the Northwestern University Wildcats. The matchup against the Wildcats will be a non-conference game, and it will be the RedHawks' second game against a Big Ten team, a conference known for having large powerhouse schools that produce successful teams.

"Sometimes we let the name or reputation of our competitor determine how we will perform," junior Jackie Nguyen said. "Our biggest challenge is to remain consistent in our play, if we come out fast and strong, we are hard to keep up with"

The girls do not let this factor intimidate them, which was proven after they knocked another Big Ten team, the University of Iowa, out of the rankings earlier this season.

Northwestern University is currently 5-3, and it is important not to underestimate their strength and ability. Top teams defeated the Wildcats, including the No. 8 Syracuse University and the No. 2 University of Maryland. These teams present fierce competition to anyone in their way, and the Wildcats stayed strong throughout these matches.

The team will defend their undefeated season and take on IU at 5 p.m Sept. 17 and then will head out to Evanston, Ill. to take on Northwestern University at 1 p.m. Sept. 19.