The Kent State field hockey team opens conference play this weekend with games against Miami and Ball State.

The Golden Flashes come into tomorrow’s game against Miami with a chip on its shoulder, losing twice to the RedHawks last season.

“We are ready for them, we really want to beat them,” senior midfielder Charlotte Muller said. “They beat us last year so we are ready to give something back to them.”

The Flashes are 4-3 this season, all in non-conference games. The players say they are pleased with their play, but the Mid-American Conference games are important.

“You always want to play hard and beat every team,” Muller said. “But in the end, winning in the MAC is what will take you to the NCAA’s. That is why we want to fight hard and win every conference game.”

For the second straight week, junior forward Natalie Barrett is questionable. Yesterday Barrett did not participate in practice and was walking around on crutches.

In her absence, freshmen Rachel Miller and Nicole Leach stepped up and contributed goals and assists in a win against Northwestern and a loss against American.

“It is always good to get freshmen who can come straight into the system and contribute,” Muller said. “In the end it is all about teamwork. One individual can contribute a lot to the team, but it is all about the team.”

Coach Kathleen Schanne said her team has to play like it has all season, just a little bit better. She said you have to prepare for a good game every time in the MAC.

“The Mid-American Conference is always challenging,” Schanne said. “There are no guarantees, and in the conference there is always that extra something that you want to get each other.”

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