Aug. 23, 2009

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OXFORD, Ohio - The Miami women's soccer team scored three goals in the first 10 minutes Sunday afternoon at Miami Soccer Field and never looked back, knocking off Eastern Kentucky 3-0 to claim its home opener for a second straight season. The RedHawks (1-1) improved to 8-4-1 all-time in home openers, while the meeting between the Colonels (0-2) and 'Hawks was the first ever between the schools.

Senior midfielder Kersta Carlson (Plymouth, Minn.) tallied three points in the contest, scoring the game's opening goal, and what proved to be the game-winner, and added an assist, the first of her career, on Miami's final tally of the day. Senior goalkeeper Krista Pace (Toronto, Ont.) recorded the shutout in net, the ninth of her career, leaving her one shy of tying Katie Karlander (2001-02) for the most shutouts in RedHawk history.

Miami jumped on Eastern Kentucky from the start, scoring a flurry of goals in the game's opening 10 minutes. Carlson opened the scoring just 2:13 into the match on a cross from the left flank by senior forward Jodi Zwingelberg (Elgin, Ill.), who garnered the assist. Just over two minutes later, junior midfielder Julie Thompson (Glenview, Ill.) found the back of the net on a textbook cross from senior midfielder Stephanie Laser (Hinsdale, Ill.). The RedHawks then finished the outburst in the 10th minute when sophomore forward Courtney Clarke (Scarborough, Ont.) headed home a corner kick from the foot of Carlson.

"We asked for a good start this morning because we hadn't done that yet and certainly we had about as good a start as you can ask for," Miami head coach Bobby Kramig said. "I was really pleased with the way we came out. We scored some terrific goals - just quality service in from the flanks and some absolute brilliant finishes. So I was really pleased with that."

After scoring on its first three shots of the day, Miami would not find the net again despite outshooting EKU 15-9, including a 9-2 edge in shots on goal. The Colonels fired six shots in the opening half, including one that hit the crossbar, but none were on target thanks to a strong effort from the RedHawks defense.

"I thought we took our foot off the gas a little bit and it's an easy thing to do when you're up 3-0 10 minutes into the game," Kramig said. "It is understandable but it is not acceptable. I think we're making progress. There were more ideas out (on the field) today than there were against Louisville (Friday). I thought we had a little more aggressive mindset today, which I was pleased with, but the basic idea of how we want to play is in place, we just need to execute better and more aggressively."

In the second half, Miami again created opportunities taking eight shots but narrowly missed heading or kicking the ball past EKU keeper Emma Werner multiple times, while also sailing a penalty kick over the crossbar. The Colonels put two shots on frame in the second stanza, but neither troubled Pace. The Red and White earned six corners in the final half to Eastern Kentucky's one and held an 8-2 advantage in that department for the match.

"I wasn't happy with the way we came out (in the second half), but I thought it got better as the half went on," Kramig said. "I'm disappointed we didn't get another goal or two and very disappointed with the missed penalty kick, but I thought we got revved up and going again. I was absolutely delighted with the shutout. Anytime you can hold a team scoreless you've got to be pleased. The defense played well. We were a little better organized at the back than against Louisville. Eastern Kentucky had a couple of opportunities in the first half but I think as the game went on we tightened up and didn't give them too much in the second half."

Werner finished with six saves for EKU, while Pace needed to make just two stops to record her first shutout of the season. Zwingelberg paced Miami with a trio of shots while Thompson had two and both put two on goal. Junior Carly Muller led the Colonels with three shots, including one on net.

The RedHawks have next weekend off before returning to the pitch Friday, Sep. 4 against Youngstown State. Opening whistle is set for 5 p.m. ET at Miami Soccer Field.

--MURedHawks.com--