OXFORD, Ohio – The Miami University field hockey team (4-4, 1-0 MAC) travels to North Carolina for a pair of games this weekend. The RedHawks play at Appalachian State on Friday at 3 p.m. before concluding the trip at Davidson on Sunday at 1 p.m.

Miami opened MAC play with a 1-0 win in overtime against Ball State last Friday. Noor Breedijk scored on a penalty corner during the second minute of overtime on a pass from Leonor Berlie. The RedHawks outshot the Cardinals 22-1 and had the 13-0 advantage in penalty corners. On Sunday, Miami fell to No. 11 Northwestern by a 5-2 margin after leading 2-1 after the first quarter.

Head coach Iñako Puzo, senior midfielder Marie Gorner and sophomore midfielder Mia Gordon spoke with MiamiRedHawks.com about last weekend's games and previewed this week's trip.

 
OPPONENT PREVIEW

ABOUT APPALACHIAN STATE: The Mountaineers (6-2, 0-1 MAC) had the best start in program history, winning their first six games. Last Friday, Appalachian State dropped its first conference game of the season by a 6-5 margin to Ohio. The Mountaineers had a 5-2 lead going into the fourth quarter but the Bobcats scored the game-winning goal with less than a minute to play in regulation. App. State lost on Sunday to No. 1 North Carolina by a 4-1 margin. Meghan Smart (five goals) and Veerle Van Heertum (four goals and two assists) lead the Mountaineers offense with 10 points apiece while goalkeeper Rachel Gaines has recorded five shutouts.

SERIES WITH APPALACHIAN STATE: Miami owns a 13-4 advantage in the all-time series with Appalachian State. In 2018, the RedHawks beat the Mountaineers by a 4-1 margin to clinch the regular season MAC Championship. Taylor Curran and Morgan Sturm each scored one of Miami's goals as the RedHawks led the game in shots 20-2 and penalty corners 11-1.

ABOUT DAVIDSON: The Wildcats (1-7, 0-2 A10) have already faced four MAC teams this season, being shutout by Ball State, Ohio, Appalachian State and Longwood before starting Atlantic 10 play. Davidson's win came against Merrimack two weekends ago. Last weekend, Davison fell to Saint Francis 3-2 and Lock Haven 2-1. Julia Smith and McGee Roman lead the Wildcats offense with two goals and two assists apiece.

SERIES WITH DAVIDSON: The RedHawks have won seven of the nine meetings between the two teams. In 2017, Miami beat Davidson by a 4-1 margin. Berlie tallied two assists during the game as the RedHawks outshot the Wildcats 18-6 and had the 11-2 advantage in penalty corners.

UP AHEAD: Miami and Towson will face off in the first collegiate field hockey game in Texas next Thursday at 8 p.m. ET. The RedHawks return home to host No. 21 Wake Forest next Sunday at 12 p.m.