OXFORD, Ohio – The Miami University field hockey team (2-2) travels to No. 25 Michigan State on Friday to play a 3 p.m. contest. The RedHawks then host Saint Francis on Sunday at 2 p.m. for youth day.

Miami put up two wins last week, beating Indiana (5-2) and Saint Louis (3-0). Junior forward Allie Grace Joyner scored in each of Miami's games and tallied her first career multi-goal game on Sunday in the 3-0 shutout win of Saint Louis. Against the Billikens, the 'Hawks dominated offensively, taking 26 of the game's 27 shots and earning all 11 penalty corners of the contest.

Assistant coach Chip Rogers, joined by juniors Joyner, Neely Lochmoeller and Morgan Sturm, spoke with MiamiRedHawks.com about the upcoming week's action, the team's chemistry and youth day.
 

OPPONENT PREVIEW

ABOUT NO. 25 MICHIGAN STATE: The Spartans (3-1) earned their first loss of the season at the hands of No. 12 Louisville by a 1-4 margin on Sunday. Michigan State began the season 3-0, shutting out Saint Francis and Kent State the first weekend before earning a 2-1 overtime victory against UC Davis last Friday. Freshman back Nienke Bloemsaat leads the Michigan State offense with three goals and eight total points. Sophomore goalkeeper Jade Arundell has made 25 saves through the first four games.

SERIES WITH MICHIGAN STATE: The Spartans hold the 15-7-1 advantage all-time in meetings with the RedHawks. Last season, Miami shutout Michigan State 4-0 at home. Gabby Luxardo scored Miami's final goal of the game as the 'Hawks outshot the Spartans 28-5 and limited MSU to just two shots on goal and two penalty corners.

ABOUT SAINT FRANCIS: The Red Flash (0-4) fell to Sacred Heart and Fairfield last weekend after losing to Kent State and Michigan State opening weekend. Last Friday, Saint Francis dropped a 3-4 decision against Sacred Heart in double overtime after leading during the majority of regulation. Senior forward Taylor Nesmith leads the Red Flash offense with three goals and seven total points, including a multi-goal game against Kent State. Red-shirt senior goalkeeper Claudia Marzec totals 29 saves over four games.

SERIES WITH SAINT FRANCIS: Miami owns both previous meetings with Saint Francis. The RedHawks blanked the Red Flash 5-0 in the home opener in 2018. Joyner scored Miami's first goal just one minute into the game and Leonor Berlie capped scoring with a goal less than three minutes before the final horn. The RedHawks held the 30-4 advantage in shots and 12-3 advantage in penalty corners.

UP AHEAD: The RedHawks host two games next week, beginning conference play against Ball State on Friday at 1 p.m. on faculty/staff appreciation day. On Sunday, Miami hosts No. 13 Northwestern at noon on OneLove day.