Hoosiers look to make it 3 straight against Miami

The IU field hockey team is batting .500 in the first four games of its seven-game road trip. The Hoosiers continue traversing the Midwest with hopes of beginning the week with a win against Miami University (Ohio).\nIU (8-6) has already equalled its win total from last season and still has five games remaining before the Big Ten Tournament, Nov. 5-7.\nIU coach Amy Robertson's team has faced Miami every season since the Hoosier program's inception. The teams have split their previous four matchups, with IU winning the most recent two meetings. Last year, IU won 7-0 at home and hopes to continue its luck this season in Oxford, Ohio.\nCoach Jill Reeve, in her first season with Miami, heads up the RedHawks' charge. \nThe RedHawks are led by sophomore Danielle Perrecone and freshman Meghan McMurtry. Perrecone has scored three goals, including a game winner, and distributed three assists, while McMurtry has notched three goals on nine shots so far this season, also including a game winner.\nSenior goalkeeper Kerri Orr has started every game this season for Miami and has a 2.2 goals against average this season. The RedHawks have given up 34 goals this season in 15 games.\nMiami spreads the ball around, with five players sharing the crown of scoring leader. Despite the team play, the RedHawks have lost seven of their last eight matches.\nMiami is 5-10 on the season, winning only one game at home. Central Michigan University, the Hoosiers' opponent for Friday, has faced Miami twice this season, winning both meetings.\nThe Hoosiers will play on familiar ground in Oxford. Miami plays its games on an Astroturf field, similar to the turf in Mellencamp Pavilion, the Hoosiers' home venue.\nLike Miami, IU still has yet to earn a conference win. IU has dropped its four games against Big Ten opponents while Miami has recorded seven Mid-American conference losses.\nThough they have yet to win a MAC game, Miami is near the top of some conference statistics. The RedHawks are tied for first in number of shutouts with four and in second place in number of saves.\nKey Miami losses include two games dropped to Ball State, who tied IU in a preseason scrimmage then lost in a regular season match-up.\nThe RedHawks posted a victory over Appalachian State University, 3-0. The Hoosiers beat the Mountaineers 4-0 the day before.\nDespite the small number of wins this season, Miami has made improvements in its field hockey program. This season has seen more goals scored and wins tallied since 2000 for the RedHawks. \nThe Hoosiers are led by sophomore Lydia Schrott, who ranks first on the team in goals (six) and assists (eight).