Oct. 23, 2009

Box Score

OXFORD, Ohio - Despite multiple attempts at the end of each half, the Miami University women's soccer team was unable to find the equalizer, as an early goal by Western Michigan (6-7-3, 3-4-2 Mid-American Conference) held up to give the Broncos a 1-0 win Friday afternoon at a wet and boggy Miami Soccer Field. The win was WMU's first over Miami (8-7-1, 4-4-1 MAC) since 2000 and first-ever victory over the 'Hawks in Oxford.

Off the opening touch Miami dribbled the ball into the Western Michigan end, keeping pressure on the Bronco defense over the first few minutes. The RedHawks' best chance came when senior Jodi Zwingelberg (Elgin, Ill.) sent a cross through the middle of the penalty box, however no one was able to get on the other end to redirect it.

Minutes later, Western Michigan applied the pressure as freshman Anina Cicerone ripped a shot that ricocheted off the post. After earning a corner and having a shot blocked, Cicerone again found space in the Miami defense and scored the game's only goal exactly 10 minutes into the match. Sophomore Stephanie Skowneski slotted a low ball past RedHawk defenders from the right flank, which found Cicerone open less than 10 yards from the goal, as she blasted her third tally of the season. Skowneski grabbed her second helper of 2009 on the play.

In the 18th minute, junior Julie Thompson (Glenview, Ill.) gathered a ball just outside the box and sent a shot that almost looped over the WMU keeper's head, but senior keeper Sarah Phillips made a sprawling save. The RedHawks had multiple chances to even the game late in the first half, firing eight shots over the final 15 minutes of the period, including seven shots in the final six minutes. A pair Miami headers sailed high and wide, however, while freshman Jess Kodiak (Naperville, Ill.) and Zwingelberg each struck bending shots the deflected off the crossbar, which would turn out to be the closest the 'Hawks would come to scoring.

Despite being down a goal at the break, Miami outshot WMU, 10-4, over the opening 45 minutes while earning two corners to the Broncos' one. Phillips made two saves in the half for Western Michigan and finished with four stops for her third shutout of the year.

Both keepers made an early save in the second stanza before the skies opened up and the rain began to pour down. Even with the soggy conditions, the 'Hawks continued to battle as junior Sara Lund (Malmo, Sweden) weaved through WMU defenders in the 77th minute but was forced to take a shot from near the end line, limiting her angle. Miami earned a corner kick in the 82nd minute which resulted in a pair of attempts. Junior Brooke Livingston (Lisle, Ill.) headed the initial attempt on goal but Phillips made the stop and Lund's rebound was blocked by the Broncos' defense.

In the final minutes, the 'Hawks tried to create plays in the box as a cross looked to set up the tying goal but Western Michigan was able to clear the ball just before Miami could get its foot on it. Zwingelberg took the RedHawks' final chance to even the score in the 87th minute but it flew just right of the target, handing the Red & White just its second loss at home this year (Miami is 5-2 at home now in 2009). The 1-0 final was the RedHawks' fifth-straight game by that score, going 2-3 in those games. It was Miami's ninth 1-0 contest of the season as Miami is 3-6 in those matches.

"We embarrassed ourselves out there today," said a frustrated Bobby Kramig, Miami's head coach.

Miami finished with a 15-7 edge in shots while both sides put four on goal. The RedHawks also held a 3-1 advantage in corners for the game. Zwingelberg led Miami with four shots, while Lund and Livingston each took three. Cicerone paced WMU with four shots, including two on target.

The 'Hawks still control the all-time series with the Broncos, 12-2, outscoring them 31-11 in the 14 meetings between the two conference foes.

Miami looks to get back on track Sunday, Oct. 25, when the Northern Illinois Huskies come calling. Opening whistle is set for 1 p.m. ET at Miami Soccer Field. The game will be the RedHawks' Breast Cancer Awareness Game as the team will don pink jerseys and t-shirts will be sold to support the cause.

--MURedHawks.com--