The Miami University field hockey team is currently tied with Kent State University for first place in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) after taking on Kent State and Ohio universities.

The RedHawks remained in Oxford as they took on the Kent State Golden Flashes for the second time this year. Previously this season, Miami defeated Kent State in a close 4-3-overtime match.

The Golden Flashes presented more of a challenge to the RedHawks in the most recent match, defeating Miami 3-2.

Head Coach Jill Reeve attributes the loss to Kent State outperforming Miami.

"The result of the game was due to our performing less than 70 minutes," Reeve said. "We need to put 70 minutes together against a great team like Kent."

The first period started out evenly matched, with both teams taking several shots on goal. Kent State took the lead 16 minutes into the game when one of the attempted shots was successful. Full of momentum, the Golden Flashes continued to strike at Miami's defense. Kent State landed another goal at the end of the half, bringing the score to 2-0.

The Golden Flashes wasted no time after halftime and scored the third goal of the match two minutes into the second period.

Although the RedHawks were down by three, they did not give up. Senior Christine Brightwell retaliated, scoring the first goal for Miami.

The RedHawks continued to attack the Kent State defense when senior Kate Snyder finally broke through, adding another point to the scoreboard for Miami. The team made several more shot attempts but was unsuccessful at the end of the 70 minutes, bringing the final score to 3-2.

Miami remained at home to host its biggest rival, the Ohio University Bobcats. Previously this season, the RedHawks lost to the Bobcats in a close 1-2 overtime match. The Bobcats also knocked Miami out of the championship game in the 2009 season.

"There was no lack of desire to beat Ohio, that is for sure," Reeve said. "We used emotion that was inherently present and used it in a positive way."

The RedHawks came out to seek revenge from the Bobcats. Miami wasted no time, as senior Mary Hull sent the ball to freshman Emily Gruesser. Gruesser sank the ball into the net within the first two minutes.

Gruesser was on fire and continued to attack the goal until she scored again 27 minutes into the game. The Bobcats then began to fire at Miami's goal relentlessly for the remainder of the period, but the RedHawks' defense remained strong.

Miami dominated the field offensively during the second period. Hull scored five minutes into the half with an assist from Gruesser. The RedHawks continued to gain momentum as Brightwell scored the fourth and final goal for Miami. The team continued to shoot at the goal for the remainder of the game and sealed the win 4-0.

Junior Amanda Seeley is glad her team finally defeated the Bobcats.

"Our team showed our true colors and fighting spirit," Seeley said. "When we can accomplish something like this, we have the image in our head and we know we can come back from anything."