Nov. 4, 2009

2009 MAC Field Hockey Tournament Bracket

OXFORD, Ohio – After a long weekend of tough conference play after which Miami secured the No. 3 seed in the 2009 MAC Tournament, the RedHawks are ready to take the field once again on Thursday, Nov. 4 at Ball State in Muncie, Ind. against the Bears of Missouri State. The action will begin at 1:30 p.m.

It was a hard-fought weekend for Miami as they took on Kent State and Ohio this past Saturday and Sunday, splitting the series with the MAC Regular Season Co-Champions. The RedHawks defeated the Golden Flashes of Kent State, 2-1, while falling to the Ohio Bobcats, 1-0. In the 2009 regular season, Miami split the series with Kent State and was 0-2 against Ohio. Senior back Katie Brightwell and senior midfielder Maggie Marcum led the RedHawks this past weekend, each recording a goal in the win against Kent State. Brightwell also recorded a defensive save against the Bobcats.

Heading into the tournament, senior forward Mary Hull leads Miami in most statistical categories, as well as playing an invaluable leadership role. Hull is first on the team with 26 points, tied with Marcum for 11 goals and has four game-winning goals as well. Defensive leader Brightwell leads in assists with ten and shots with 59.

It will be a challenge from the start for Miami as they face the sixth-seeded Missouri State who will be looking for a win after falling to the RedHawks in both regular season meetings. Coming off of a loss against Kent State, the 4-15 Bears will look to team leader Melissa Lantz who started in all 19 games this regular season, and led the team in nearly every offensive statistical category, including goals with 15.

The winner of this match-up will advance to the MAC Tournament Quarterfinals and will take on the No. 2 seed Kent State at 2:30 p.m. this Friday at Ball State.