Sept. 6, 2003

Box Score

OXFORD, Ohio - An early second-half goal by Hope Bates gave visiting Radford University (1-1) a 1-0 decision in Saturday's back-and-forth battle against the Miami (0-2) field hockey team. Bates broke through the Red and White defense and scored the game's lone goal on her second attempt in the circle.

"We were much better than last week," Head Coach Lil Fesperman said. "There are some growing pains that we are still working through."

After a scoreless first half, Bates broke through the Miami defense and rifled a shot at freshman goalie Kerri Matthews (Egg Harbor Twp, N.J./Egg Harbor). Matthews made the initial save but the rebound fell into Bates' path as she put her second shot into the back of the goal. The goal was Bates' s and Radford's first of the season.

The RedHawks made a couple of offensive rushes in the final minutes of the game, including the only penalty corner of the second half. Radford's goalie, Tina Caiazza, stopped the only shot that made it through en route to the 1-0 shutout. Matthews made nine saves on the other end of the field.

"Our passing and pressure on the opponent's goal was good to see," Fesperman said. "It was also good to see (Kerri) play well and make smart decisions in goal. We had our chances, we just didn't finish."

The RedHawks remain at home for their next two contests as they play Saint Louis and Davidson next weekend. The Saint Louis game is scheduled for a 3 p.m. pass back on Friday, Sept. 12, and the Davidson contest is at noon on Sunday, Sept. 14. There also is a neutral site contest being played at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 13, between Davidson and Saint Louis.