OXFORD, Ohio – The Miami University field hockey team (13-6, 6-0 MAC) hosts the Mid-American Conference Tournament this week. The tournament consists of six games between all seven MAC teams and is single elimination. The RedHawks are the top seed and will play on Friday at 11:30 a.m. against the winner of the No. 4 Ball State/No. 5 Ohio game.

Miami enters the MAC Tournament with a 13-6 overall record and a perfect 6-0 mark in conference play. Last season, the RedHawks beat Kent State in the MAC Tournament final by a 2-1 margin in overtime.

Head coach Iñako Puzo and junior forward Gabby Luxardo spoke to MiamiRedHawks.com about Miami's regular season conference success and previewed the MAC Tournament.
 

SCOUTING REPORT

No. 2 Kent State (7-11, 5-1 MAC)
The Golden Flashes finished second in the conference for the second-straight season with a 5-1 record in MAC games. Kent's only loss in conference play was to Miami on September 22. Sophomore back Clara Rodriguez Seto led the offense with five goals and seven assists for 17 total points this season, which tied her for second in the conference in assists and fifth in the conference for points.

No. 3 Longwood (9-6, 4-2 MAC)
The Lancers took third place in the conference again this season with a 4-2 record, their only losses coming from Miami and Kent State. The game between Longwood and Kent State was decided in double overtime. Senior forward Leonie Verstraete led the Lancers' offense with 11 goals and 26 total points, including three game-winning goals. Verstraete ranked second in the conference in both goals and points.

No. 4 Ball State (2-15, 2-4 MAC)
The Cardinals beat Ohio and Appalachian State in conference play to secure the fourth seed, both wins being earned in more than 70 minutes of play. Red-shirt junior Michelle Shampton and red-shirt sophomore Rachel Pereira led Ball State's offense with 11 and 10 points, respectively. Pereira notched both game-winning goals for the Cardinals this season. Sophomore goalkeeper Grace Chavez led the conference in saves, stopping 124 shots this season.

No. 5 Ohio (4-11, 2-4 MAC)
The Bobcats beat Appalachian State and Central Michigan in conference play to earn the fifth seed, though three of their conference losses were by just one goal. Sophomore midfielder Jillian Shive led the Ohio offense with nine goals and 19 points total, which ties her for third in the conference in goals and fourth in the conference in points.

No. 6 Appalachian State (5-13, 1-5 MAC)
The Mountaineers beat Central Michigan during the regular season to earn the sixth seed, though two of their conference losses came in overtime. Sophomore midfielder Veerle Van Heertum led the Appalachian State offensive front with nine goals and 22 total points, ranking third in the conference in both categories.

No. 7 Central Michigan (2-15, 1-5 MAC)
The Chippewas earned their lone conference victory against Ball State in Central Michigan's regular season finale. Red-shirt sophomore midfielder/back Samantha Glapinski led the Chippewas offense with four goals. Lily Amadio stopped 101 shots on the season to rank second in the conference.