Hoosiers hope for NCAA bid

With their conference schedule completed and a spot in the Big Ten tournament already earned, the Hoosiers have spent the past week preparing for two non-conference opponents in hopes of reaching the NCAA tournament.\nThe team takes on Miami-Ohio, for senior night tonight, and Sunday it travels to Oakland, Mich., to take on Oakland University.\nAlthough they've already earned a spot in the Big Ten tournament, it's no weekend to slouch for the Hoosiers. In order to be eligible for the NCAA tournament, a team has to have a record over .500, something the Hoosiers could accomplish with two victories in their final two games.\nSenior midfielder Emily Hotz said the Hoosiers aren't taking Miami lightly.\n"They want to come out and prove themselves," Hotz said.\nTonight's game against the Redhawks begins at 7 p.m. at Bill Armstrong Stadium.\nMiami comes to Bloomington with a record of 7-8-2 (5-6-1 MAC) and has won its last three games. The Redhawks are led by junior Ashley Swinehart, who has totaled 34 points this season on 16 goals and two assists.\nSenior defender Carly Everett said a senior night victory would be special.\n"It's going to be very bittersweet, but the rest of the team is motivated to have a lot of fun and make the best of our last home game," Everett said.\nThe Hoosiers travel to Oakland, Mich., Sunday to face off against the Golden Grizzlies for their final game of the season. The Golden Grizzlies currently have a record of 12-3-1 (6-0-0 Mid-Con) and are riding a 10-game winning streak in which they've allowed just six goals total. IU coach Mick Lyon said the Hoosiers can't look past Oakland.\n"Oakland is a very good team," Lyon said. "They've been in the top five in their region all year, and they've got a lot of international players who bring a lot of experience of how to play the game. They're very knowledgeable about the game."\nIf the Hoosiers want to beat Oakland, they will need to find a way to solve the puzzle of Golden Grizzly goalkeeper Sarah Buckland, who has a save percentage of .831 on an incredible 59 saves. Buckland has also recorded five shutouts on the season.\nSunday's game against Oakland starts at 1 p.m.\n-- Contact staff writer Cory Steger at csteger@indiana.edu.