Oct. 5, 2008

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OXFORD, Ohio - For the first time in two years, 11 months and one day (1,066 days), the Miami University field hockey team has defeated Ohio University, doing so by a score of 2-1 on Sunday afternoon at the Miami Turf Field in Oxford.

There was some redemption to be had by the RedHawks, who were defeated 3-2 in overtime by the nationally-ranked Bobcats in last year's MAC Tournament championship game on the RedHawks' home turf. Ohio also had won seven of the last 10 "Battle of the Bricks" and five in a row against the RedHawks over the past two seasons.

"It means a lot," said Miami senior midfielder Elizabeth Gilroy after the win. "They stole it from us last year in the MAC Championship. Before the game, we just said, `you know what, we need to prove something this year and take it back from them.' And, we did. It was a battle as always and we came out on top."

Gilroy walked the walk after talking the pregame talk, assisting on what would be the game-winning goal by junior forward Mary Hull in the 24th minute of the first half with an exceptional lead pass that Hull directed far-post to beat the OU keeper.

It what was a hotly-contested, physical game that saw three player conduct cards handed out, numerous warnings and even game stoppages by the officials due to rough play, Miami would grab an early 1-0 lead in the 21st minute when junior Maggie Marcum created a scoring opportunity.

The Louisville, Ky. native beat several defenders driving to the right and placed a perfect cross on the stick of sophomore midfielder Christine Brightwell who scored in traffic with a far-post shot.

"I was just in the right place at the right time," said Brightwell. "It was not much more than that. The stroke spot in the middle is a pretty important place to be. Maggie (Marcum) had a great pass and a tip off the defense and it is just all about timing and being in the right spot."

Miami head coach Jill Reeve commented on how motivation played into winning the grudge match against an in-state rival.

"I told our team that before the game, `If it helps you to make it personal, then make it personal," said Reeve. "Whatever it takes to get you into that mode where we are fighting every minute.' That is where we needed to be."

The talented Bobcats would answer Brightwell's first-half score with a goal of their own off of a penalty corner in the 24th minute.

Following the halftime break with Miami up 2-1, the RedHawks seemed to ratchet up both their defensive pressure and offensive control, two characteristics that seem to be mutually exclusive.

However, Reeve, who is now 4-7 in five seasons as the Miami head coach against Ohio, explained what caused this phenomenon.

"I think they adjusted into the game," Reeve said of her RedHawks. "In the second half they began playing right in behind one and other and could read what was going to happen and picking off plays and picking up the ball off a tackle. I think that they got really good at this particular game."

Freshman goalkeeper Abbey Huck earned her seventh win of the season with two saves and is now 7-3 on in her rookie campaign.

While the win goes officially under Huck's career statistics, Reeve explained that a senior back owns much of the responsibility when the ball is in the RedHawks' defensive third.

"Danielle Gaynor had just a huge weekend," Reeve said of the senior's play against the Bobcats and Kent State on Saturday. "She is a brick wall. She was there on every breakaway play. She is just a really steady force with her communication and organization. We tried a little bit of a different formation today and I think that she organized it really well. She was just an all-star this weekend."

The RedHawks outshot the Bobcats 7-5 in on-frame attempts and earned seven penalty corners to five for the visitors.

Even with what seems as a monumental victory for Miami, the RedHawks were looking forward just minutes after the win.

"It evens out the playing field," Reeve said of the win and its MAC implications. "It is good for us that it is wide open. But, we still need to put our signature on the rest of the MAC season."

Brightwell added, "We have now seen that our play can be at a higher level. We just need to understand that we can play that way all of the time."

Miami, Ohio and Kent State are tied atop the MAC standings at 3-1 in conference play.

The RedHawks will look to, as Brightwell said, play at a higher level, when they host Central Michigan on Friday in the first game of the second round of conference play. Miami defeated the Chippewas, 2-0, in its MAC opener on Sept. 12 in Mount Pleasant, Mich.

Following Friday's game, the RedHawks will hit the road for Ball State for a Sunday match with the Cardinals at 1 p.m. ET.