After Ohio extended its winning streak to four games with a 2-0 victory against Miami last weekend, coach Neil Macmillan already had his sights set on the team’s next opponent.
That would be Central Michigan, a team sitting in second place in the Mid-American Conference and trailing only the first-place Bobcats (10-2, 3-0 MAC).
“They’re going to be the one,” Macmillan said nearly a week ago, “and that’s great because that’s the next game. We’ve got a chance to go up there and really take care of business hopefully.”
Ohio plays Central Michigan (5-5, 3-1 MAC) today at 2 p.m. in Mount Pleasant, Mich.
Whereas Ohio leads the conference in most statistical categories, the Chippewas are never far from the top.
That means goaltender Jen McGill will need to be focused and prepared. She likely won’t be able to enjoy the luxury of watching the game from afar, which she often did during Ohio’s last two wins.
“I am anticipating quite a bit of pressure,” McGill said. “Their results are very similar to ours… I definitely think this is going to be a bigger test than what we’ve had in the MAC thus far.”
No matter what attack the Chippewas unleash, McGill should be ready. She was recently named the MAC Defensive Player of the Week following wins against Ball State and Miami this past weekend. She did not allow a goal in either game.
On the opposite side of the field will be Central Michigan’s •Bailey McKeon, the conference’s offensive player of the week. McKeon scored four goals this past weekend, three of which came in the same game.
Her efforts helped the Chippewas sweep Missouri State in consecutive games, •4-0 and 5-1. The Bobcats bested the Bears Sept. 25 when they traveled to Springfield, Mo., and won 5-1.
This game shouldn’t come as easily for Ohio, which will have a talented team and tricky conditions to deal with today.
“(Central Michigan’s turf) is just different,” Macmillan said. “It is Astroturf, but it’s manufactured for cold weather. It’s slightly different; it’s got a grain to it.
“It doesn’t play quite as true” as the turf at Pruitt Field.”
The Bobcats will return home for a game with Iowa at noon Sunday. The Hawkeyes (8-3) are currently ranked No. 17 in the nation and defeated Central Michigan earlier this season, 1-0.
UP NEXT:
2 p.m. today
OHIO at Central Michigan
Mount Pleasant, Mich.
Noon Sunday
No. 17 Iowa at OHIO
Athens, Ohio
me811508@ohiou.edu
