Miami University
University of California
Miami Takes Down California in First Game of Weekend
10/16/2009 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
Oct. 16, 2009
OXFORD, Ohio - It was a fight to the finish, but a strong Miami University squad was able to overcome the California field hockey team Friday at the Miami Field Hockey Complex 2-1 in overtime. The RedHawks advance to 9-7-0 on the season while the Golden Bears fall to 4-9-0.
Wanting to snap a three-game losing streak, Miami came out ready to fight. It was an even battle on both ends of the field with the RedHawks striking first. Opening the scoring on the day was sophomore forward Jackie Nguyen at 11:18 from senior forward Mary Hull off a breakaway pass. Despite four Cal shots, the Miami defense and goalkeeper senior Kelsey Dean remained solid throughout the rest of the first half.
Miami held its lead well into the second half until Natalie Nurnberg found the net for the Golden Bears at 48:45 from Erin Magill on a rebound off a penalty corner. Another eight Miami shots and two by California would not find the net before the end of regulation. A saved shot by Katie Brightwell at 67:56 would end the second half's scoring drives.
Overtime found Miami keeping Cal on its heels, lasting less than four minutes before Hull scored the game-winning goal for Miami at 73:23 with the assist by Amanda Seeley from a rebound off of a penalty corner.
"It was an even match throughout," said Head Coach Jill Reeve after the win. "But our girls stepped up and they really wanted it. They put in a 70-minute effort and created a lot of opportunities for us, which gave us the upperhand. Mary Hull, Maggie Marcum and Kylie Landeros were really great for us today, but everyone stepped up for the win."
The RedHawks will be back in action this Sunday as they take on the visiting Michigan Wolverines to wrap up a two-week home stretch and Miami's Alumni/Bicentennial Weekend. The game will begin at 1 p.m. at the Miami Field Hockey Complex.
