Oct. 11, 2009

Box Score

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. - The Miami University soccer team had its season-long three-game winning streak haulted Sunday afternoon at a frigid CMU Soccer Complex, as the RedHawks were unable to mount a comeback and fell to first-place Central Michigan, 1-0. Miami (7-5-1, 3-2-1 Mid-American Conference) was held scoreless for just the fourth time this year and second in league play, while the Chippewas (11-3-0, 6-0-0 MAC) have now not allowed a goal in their last nine matches, including all six MAC contests.

Miami earned a corner kick early and sophomore Alexandra Karlsson (Malmo, Sweden) fired the first shot of the match, but it was wide. After senior keeper Krista Pace (Toronto, Ont.) stopped Central Michigan's first attempt on goal, the RedHawks' next shot was also wide in the 12th minute.

The Chippewas put some pressure on Miami over the next 12 minutes, earning three corners and taking three shots, but none found the back of the net. Junior Sara Lund (Malmo, Sweden) blasted the RedHawks' first shot on goal in the 28th minute, but CMU keeper Shay Mannino made the stop. In the 31st minute, the Chippewas' Chelsi Abbott broke the deadlock with her second goal of 2009, scoring off a through ball from Amanda Waugh, who garnered the assist.

Neither team threatened the remainder of the half, as Central Michigan took the 1-0 edge into the break. CMU outshot Miami, 5-4, in the period and also earned three corners to the RedHawks' one.

"It was a strange game. There wasn't a lot happening," Miami head coach Bobby Kramig said. "There was a lot of midfield play and I think Central Michigan definitely had the better of play, but I didn't think either team was particularly dangerous in the final third."

The Chippewas came out firing to start the second stanza, but Pace made three saves in the first 12 minutes of the half to keep the deficit at one. Neither team could control possession over the next several minutes, as the ball stayed mainly in the middle of the field. Lund ripped Miami's final two shots of the match in the 70th and 74th minutes, but Mannino saved both shots to preserve the shutout and victory, as the 'Hawks were unable to find the equalizer over the final 15 minutes.

"I think Central's back four is very good. They're very organized and disciplined. Central Michigan is definitely the best team we've seen in the MAC so far," Kramig said. "I don't think we played particularly well but I don't think we played poorly either."

CMU finished with 12 shots, including seven in the second half, to Miami's seven, while garnering four corner kicks, while the RedHawks earned just one. Lund paced Miami with four shots, including all three of its shots on goal. Pace finished with eight saves in net, while Mannino stopped all three shots on goal for CMU for her ninth clean sheet of the year.

The RedHawks continue their road stand when they face the Akron Zips Friday, Oct. 16. Opening whistle is set for 7:30 p.m. ET at Lee Jackson Field.

--MURedHawks.com--