Not only is a rivalry on the line for the Ohio field hockey team this weekend, but getting back into the STX/National Field Hockey Coaches Association Poll is also at stake.

Tuesday, the team slipped out of its No. 20 spot in the poll because of losses to No. 13 Michigan State and Michigan. Head Coach Shelly Morris said the Bobcats' recent drop from poll should not affect the team's confidence level this weekend.

"(The team is) a little disappointed," she said. "I think I got them to look beyond (the poll)."

The Bobcats face Central Michigan (2-5) in Mount Pleasant, Mich. It will be the first time the Bobcats play the unranked Chippewas this season.

"We have to play like we did last weekend (to beat Central Michigan)," she said. "We have confidence that we can beat teams like Central (Michigan)."

Saturday, the Bobcats battle Ball State (7-3) in Muncie, Ind. The No. 15 Cardinals are defending a 61 game winning streak against Mid-American Conference teams in the regular season. Morris said the game against Ball State could help Ohio get back into the poll.

"If we beat them, we'll be back in the top twenty," she said.

Ohio plays Central Michigan at 3 p.m. today. Its game against Ball State starts at 1 p.m. Saturday.