It doesn’t take much to get a team pumped for a rivalry game.
When Ohio and Miami meet, in any sport, one can be assured that the winner of the game is receiving more satisfaction from the victory than just another tally in the win column.
However, an Ohio (5-1, 1-1 Mid-American Conference) win Wednesday could mean even more, as the Battle of the Bricks offer’s a chance at redemption for the Bobcats after it finished last season with two consecutive losses to the RedHawks (8-7, 2-0 MAC).
“Last year has definitely given the team a different fire than we usually have when playing (Miami),” junior Brittany Walker said. “We decided as a team that we aren’t going to give them the same opportunity to beat us like that again this year.”
The Bobcats closed their 2012 campaign with a game in Oxford where they lost to Miami 3-1. Five days later, they returned to Oxford for the MAC Tournament where Ohio’s first semifinal matchup was against the host RedHawks, which were once again victorious by a score of 2-1 in an overtime contest.
“We all know how big this is,” sophomore Adelle Sammons said. “It’s our biggest conference game by far and it means the most to the team for us to win.”
The RedHawks will enter the contest with four players that have scored five or more goals this season, with junior Ali Froede leading the way for the RedHawks with eight goals and 17 total points.
“The preparation is a little bit rushed for these midweek games,” coach Niel Macmillan said. “We, as a coaching staff, have had film on Miami for a couple weeks now. It’s just a matter of installing the tactics in a short period.”
The Bobcats are also looking to rebound from their home-opening loss to Central Michigan Saturday, where they lost in overtime on a controversial goal scored by the Chippewas.
Wednesday is also the Bobcats’ first midweek game this season, as well as their first evening game. Last season, the Bobcats took on Ohio State University under the lights, but lost.
“As a team, we really enjoy playing under the lights,” Sammons said. “There’s a certain adrenaline rush that is associated with playing night games and having the kind of fan support that goes along with it.”
There would be no better time to give the new Pruitt turf its first win than under the lights against Miami. With the Bobcats still within reach of the top seed in the upcoming conference tournament, knocking off the RedHawks at home would provide the spark needed for a late season run.
“We have a very competitive rivalry with them. But that is what makes a great rivalry: competitive games,” Macmillan said. “It’s games like this one, especially because its at night, that get the team fired up.”
tj790511@ohiou.edu
