Miami University
Ohio State
Miami Loses Tough Match to No. 20 Ohio State
10/7/2009 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
Oct. 7, 2009
OXFORD, Ohio - A quick two goals and a strong second half performance today were not enough for the Miami field hockey team as it fell, 5-2, to the No. 20 Ohio State Buckeyes. Miami is now 8-5-0, while Ohio State advances to 8-4-0.
It was an even start to the game as both teams held defensively despite strong pushes by the offenses of both sides. Ohio State was the first to strike well into the first period with an unassisted goal from Aisling McKeon from the right side at 16:30. Before the close of the first half, two of her teammates would follow suit with goals at 26:49 and 29:11 off the sticks of Maria Briones and Jena Cacciatore, respectively. Miami remained unable to find the net throughout the first period and was held to four shots.
"The first half we played conservatively and defensively," said Head Coach Jill Reeve after the game. "We didn't play our usual game and it showed."
The second half found the RedHawks reinvigorated as they kept the Buckeyes on their heels for the majority of the period. Ohio State was once again the first to strike in the period with a goal at 55:36 by Berta Querait unassisted, but the 'Hawks would not remain quiet for long.
A goal from the left side by Kate Snyder from Christine Brightwell put Miami back in the game and gave them needed momentum. Less than three minutes later, at 65:17, senior Maggie Marcum found the net again off the stick of Brightwell for the RedHawks. A late goal by McKeon at 69:28 however solidified OSU's win.
"During the second half we played better and were able to put some points on the board," said Reeve. "Christine and Katie Brightwell picked up the game for us with their leadership, and if we had been able to put together a better game the results would have been different."
The RedHawks now prepare to take on two conference rivals at home this weekend as they face off against Kent State on Saturday and Ohio University on Sunday. Both matches will begin at 1 p.m.
