Oct. 1, 2010
Final Stats | Photo Gallery 
By Drew Davis
OXFORD, Ohio -- Miami women's soccer fell behind early and lost for the first time in Mid-American Conference play this season, as defending MAC Champion Central Michigan won 2-0 Friday evening at the Miami Soccer Field. The Chippewas (6-3-1, 3-0-0 MAC) scored just 8:03 into the match and held on for the win behind goalkeeper Shay Mannino's first shutout of the season. The loss by Miami (9-3-0, 2-1-0 MAC) ends a six-game winning streak and marks the first time the team was held scoreless in 2010.
The RedHawks controlled the pace of the game early, keeping it in the attacking zone and registering a shot just over five minutes into the game, a header by sophomore Jess Kodiak that was saved by Mannino.
Central Michigan made its first real run at the Miami goal after the seven minute mark. The Chippewas registered their first shot of the game at the 7:46 mark off the foot of Ashley Mejilla. The RedHawks were able to block that shot, but the subsequent throw-in by Bailey Brandon led to the first goal of the game. Brandon's throw-in bounced through the Miami box and right to the waiting Jenna Hill, who headed it past Miami goalie Kris Gasparovic for the 1-0 lead.
"I thought we came out well," head coach Bobby Kramig said. "I don't know if we got a little bit tired or a little bit nervous after they got their goal, but we stopped stepping up, we stopped pressing and really allowed the momentum to go over to their side."
Miami had a chance to tie it up 11:15 into the first half, but Kodiak's shot from inside the box as she spun toward the goal was stopped by Mannino.
The RedHawks made another run at tying the game near the 36-minute mark, but senior Sara Lund's shot went just wide of the goal to the left. Lund, playing for the first time since Sept. 5 against DePaul after battling injury, beat the defense and turned toward the goal to fire a shot toward the upper, left corner, hitting the outside of the net.
Central Michigan broke through for its second goal of the game when Charlese McLemore dribbled between two Miami defenders into the box and took a shot to the left side of the goal just out of reach of Gasparovic.
Gasparovic surrendered her first goals of the season but still came up with seven saves to keep the RedHawks within striking distance. Miami got a boost from Lund and junior Krysti Clarke returning from injuries, but the RedHawks were unable to get anything past Mannino, who totaled five saves.
"We had a couple players back from injury today," Kramig said. "Obviously they're not fully fit yet, but it's nice to have them back and have a couple more options."
CMU finished with a 17-10 shot advantage, including 9-5 in shots on goal. Both sides earned four corner kicks in the match.
"For us I think the lesson is we have to do what we do for 90 minutes. Thirty minutes, a half, 60 minutes isn't enough, it has to be 90, the whole game," Kramig said, calling the game a learning experience. "I told the kids what you should take from this game is that if you go out there and fully commit yourself to this, play with confidence, step up and put people under pressure, you can beat anybody in this league."
The RedHawks wrap up the home stand on Sunday, Oct. 3 at 1 p.m. at the Miami Soccer Field when MAC foe Eastern Michigan comes to town.
--MURedHawks.com--
