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Miami hosts OU

Miami sophomore midfielder/forward Geagy Pritchard attempts to get past a Northwestern defender during Miami’s 5-1 loss.
Miami sophomore midfielder/forward Geagy Pritchard attempts to get past a Northwestern defender during Miami’s 5-1 loss.

By Sadie Martinez, For The Miami Student

The Miami University women's field hockey team faces arch-rival Ohio University (2-6, 1-0 MAC) Saturday in Oxford.

The RedHawks (3-8, 1-0 MAC) are coming off of a split record weekend, with a 4-2 loss to Providence and a 3-2 victory over New Hampshire.

Senior midfielder/forward Valentina Neira said this is a game the RedHawks have been waiting for all season.

"This is the game of the year," Neira said. "It is one of the main games of the Mid-American Conference, it's our main rival and we always want to win against them."

Neira said the two schools have a strong rivalry.

"Last year we lost against them during the season," Neira said. "We played against them in the MAC tournament and we beat them and went to the finals because of that. We are working really hard on getting this win."

Junior midfielder Bea Dechant is approaching the rivalry just like any other game of the season.

"OU is a big deal," Dechant said. "All the MAC games are really tough though and I don't think it'll be that different. It'll still be hard."

The RedHawks are trying not to dwell on past records and accomplishments.

"We try to not focus on what we did last year because we can't say we are MAC champions," Neira said. "We did it last year, but it doesn't mean we are entitled. We are concentrating on what we want to do this year."

Facing the Bobcats in Oxford gives the RedHawks a home field advantage.

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"We as a team have goals, the goals this week are to be ready for Saturday," Neira said. "It's a home game so we have the advantage playing home. We have no excuses."

The RedHawks face Ohio University 7 p.m. Saturday in Oxford.