OXFORD, Ohio – The Miami University field hockey team opens the 2019 season with a two-game trip to Delaware. Miami will play No. 22 Albany in a neutral-site contest on Saturday at 1 p.m. before taking on No. 16 Delaware on its turf on Monday at noon.

Miami returns 21 players from its record-breaking 2018 roster, adding seven newcomers to the team. The RedHawks capped a historic 2018 season with their second-straight NCAA Tournament sweet-sixteen appearance following their second-straight MAC regular season and tournament titles as well as a perfect 6-0 mark in conference play. Miami was ranked nationally for the first time in program history during the 2018 season.

Head Coach Iñako Puzo, senior back Kirsten McNeil and junior forward/midfielder Lexie Nugent spoke with MiamiRedHawks.com about the start of the 2019 season and the expectations of opening weekend.
 

OPPONENT PREVIEW

ABOUT NO. 22 ALBANY: The Great Danes finished the 2018 season at 16-5 with a 6-2 mark in conference games, winning the America East Tournament before falling to No. 2 Maryland in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Albany returns just one of its top-four scorers from last season. Senior midfielder Dana Bozek put up 11 goals and 26 points during her junior campaign.

SERIES WITH ALBANY: Miami and Albany have played just twice previously, splitting the two meetings. In 2017, the RedHawks beat the 18^th-ranked Great Danes by a 2-1 margin in overtime in Albany. Bozek scored the first goal of the game and gave Albany a 1-0 lead at the half before Nugent tied the game for Miami. Lexi Silver won the game in overtime with her first goal as a RedHawk.

ABOUT NO. 16 DELAWARE: The Blue Hens went 13-7 in 2018 while posting a perfect 6-0 record in conference play. Delaware fell to William & Mary in the CAA Tournament championship game by a 2-3 margin in overtime. Delaware returns two of its top-five scorers from the 2018 season in junior duo Lotte de Koning (10 goals and 25 total points) and Femke Strien (six goals and 17 total points).

SERIES WITH DELAWARE: Last year was the first meeting between the Miami and Delaware. The RedHawks fell by a 1-4 margin after being tied at one at the half.

UP AHEAD: The RedHawks travel to Indiana on Friday, Sept. 6 for a 3 p.m. game. Miami then hosts Saint Louis in the home opener on Sunday, Sept. 8 at noon for heroes appreciation day.