The Ohio soccer team has a 6-8-1 record overall and 4-3-1 record in Mid-American Conference play.

But Ohio Head Coach Wendy Logan said she expects to see a different team on Shafer Street Field today and Sunday when the Bobcats face the Miami RedHawks and the Ball State Cardinals.

"I think we've just had a gut check the last few weeks," she said. "We've reflected on our performances, on our training practices and our efforts individually and as a unit. I think we'll see some positives come out of our soul searching."

The first team to test the new Bobcats is Miami. The RedHawks are enjoying the most successful season in their three-year history with a 13-2 overall record and 6-2 MAC record. The team is in third-place in the MAC heading into the weekend matches. A 1-0 victory over Northern Illinois Oct. 17 clinched the team's first winning MAC record and MAC tournament berth.

One of the biggest reasons behind Miami's success is its offensive leaders. Three of the team's players are in the top 10 MAC point leaders. Most notable is Danielle Berkmeier, who set the Miami record for most points and goals in her career just 14 games into her freshman season.

Although the Bobcats are 3-0 all- time against the RedHawks, Ohio goalkeeper Vanessa Dennis said this Miami team is better than it has been in the past.

Ball State is on the opposite end of the spectrum. The Cardinals - in their first year - are 1-14-1 and 0-7-1 in the MAC. They have not won since the first game of the season. But they have taken four teams into double overtime and have lost 10 games by two or fewer goals.

"The Cardinals want to stay involved. They want to stay in every game as long as possible," Logan said. "They have a lot of pride. They know they're the new kid, but they're not using that as an excuse. We expect them to come play very hard."

It might be hard for the Bobcats to surprise the Cardinals on the field because Ball State Assistant Coach Sheri Huckleberry was the assistant coach at Ohio the past two years. That will force the Bobcats to play hard and execute their game, Logan said.

With only three games remaining, Ohio must win now if it wants home-field advantage in the first round of the MAC tournament. Left outside half-back Lori Spitler said every game is a must win situation but each game is even more so this weekend.

"We haven't been playing as well as we can," she said. "We've had some really good practices and we are trying to bring it back together this weekend." Ohio and Miami play at 3 p.m. today. Ohio and Ball State play at 1 p.m. Sunday.