Kate Snyder defends against Central Michigan in Oxford on September 11th last year. The 'Hawks won the game 3-1. (MICHAEL GRIGGS | The Miami Student)
The Miami University field hockey team kicked off their season Aug. 18 with an exhibition game against Indiana.
This year's schedule will feature six home games and many distant away games, including California and Iowa.
"The travel element to this year's schedule will be a challenge," Head Coach Jill Reeve said. "Our team will be on the road quite a lot and will need to stay on top of the academic demands. Beyond that, I believe our schedule has a terrific balance of competition."
The coaches and the team share a common goal for the upcoming season to win the Mid-American Conference (MAC) championship game and advance to the NCAA tournament. In the past three years the team has advanced to the MAC championship but was later defeated.
Senior Mary Hall, who is known for her speed and killer shot, especially wants to win the MAC.
"As a senior, I know this is my last season to achieve a MAC Championship and I plan to have the attitude to give everything I have every game," Hall said. "The team hasn't won the MAC since I have been on the team, but I am confident that we can achieve that with the group we have this year. A MAC ring is one thing I would love to have at the end of my playing career."
While the team graduated three seniors last year, 10 new freshmen were added to this year's roster. The large number of new players presents a challenge for the team, but they feel it is a challenge that will turn into a strength.
"The freshman class is talented and matched our program's needs," Reeve said. "I'm excited about this class in particular because they have fun and dynamic personalities and an excellent work ethic that is pushing the pack."
The team is particularly strong in their speed and their passing game, key elements their opponents will have to watch out for. The team also prides itself on their team unity.
Senior co-captain Christine Brightwell looks forward to the team growing into a more defined unit as the weeks progress.
"I believe with this new mixture of girls the chemistry will allow for our most successful season ending in at least an NCAA Tournament appearance," Brightwell said. "This group has myriad amount of personalities that contribute to the leadership style of the team, making for a great combination of experience and knowledge."
The team will travel to California to play its first non-conference game at 8 p.m. Aug. 27.
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