OXFORD, Ohio – The Miami University field hockey team continues road play with a conference game at Longwood on Saturday at noon and a non-conference game at No. 18 Virginia on Sunday at 1 p.m.

Last weekend, Miami beat Central Michigan by a 5-0 margin to improve to 8-4 overall and 3-0 in conference play. Mariona Heras scored twice and helped limit the Chippewas' attack, earning her MAC Defensive Player of the Week honors. Paula Portugal, Lexie Nugent and Gabby Luxardo each contributed a goal.

Head coach Iñako Puzo, junior midfielder Lexi Silver and Heras spoke with MiamiRedHawks.com about takeaways from the game at Central Michigan and previewed the upcoming games against Longwood and No. 18 Virginia.
 

OPPONENT PREVIEW

ABOUT LONGWOOD: The Lancers (7-3 overall, 2-1 MAC) fell to Kent State last weekend in double overtime by a 3-2 margin to earn their first loss in conference play this season. Junior forward Olivia Wawrzyniak and senior forward Leonie Verstraete lead the Longwood attack with 15 points each. Red-shirt junior goalkeeper Katie Wyman has a goals-against average of just 1.63 and a save percentage of .767 with two shutouts under her belt.

SERIES WITH LONGWOOD: Miami owns an 8-0 lead in the all-time series with Longwood. In 2017, the RedHawks won by a 2-1 margin. Sophomore forward/midfielder Lexie Nugent scored both goals for Miami.

ABOUT NO. 18 VIRGINIA: The Cavaliers (4-6 overall, 1-3 ACC) fell to two top-10 opponents in North Carolina and Louisville last week. Freshman striker Grace Wallis leads the Virginia offense with four goals and 13 total points.

SERIES WITH VIRGINIA: Virginia owns an 11-0 lead in the all-time series with the RedHawks. In 2017, the Cavaliers won by a 4-0 margin. Virginia was ranked No. 3 at the time of the game.

UP AHEAD: Miami finishes its 2018 road slate with games against Saint Louis on Friday, Oct. 12 at 5:30 p.m. and No. 9 Louisville on Sunday, Oct. 14 at noon.