Aug. 27, 2010
Final Stats
BERKELEY, Calif. - The Miami field hockey team overcame a 3-1 deficit in the second half to beat California, 4-3, on Friday evening in its season opener. Senior Christine Brightwell scored the game winner with seven minutes remaining off a penalty corner.
Freshman Kelsey Lund got things started for the RedHawks in the seventh minute when she scored her first career goal. The unassisted tally went past the Bears' goalkeeper to her right finding the corner of the cage. Despite outshooting Cal 6-4 during the first half, Miami was unable to score again as the Bears put in two goals of their own to take a 2-1 lead into the break.
"We came out like gangbusters early," said head coach Jill Reeve. "But Cal played well and played itself back into the game."
In the 37th minute, another California goal made the score 3-1. Jackie Nguyen came to the rescue for the Red and White, scoring unassisted goals in the 40th and 47th minute to tie the score at three.
"Jackie's second goal that she absolutely drilled sent the message that we were still in this game and we were going to finish it," said Reeve.
In the 64th minute, the Bears were called for a foul in the circle, allowing the RedHawks their 10th penalty corner of the night. Kate Snyder sent the pass in and Amanda Seeley settled it for Brightwell, who took the long shot and put it in the back of the net. Cal had a penalty corner of its own in the final 10 seconds of the game, but the RedHawks were able to defend it and hang on for the 4-3 victory.
"It was a great test of our team's character to not panic when we fell behind and to come back and get each goal one-by-one until we had the victory."
Nguyen led Miami with her two goals and five shots, four of which were on net. The RedHawks outshot the Bears 13-11 for the match. In her career debut freshman goalkeeper Sarah Mueller made four saves.
Miami remains in Berkeley for two neutral site games. The RedHawks will take on Pacific on Sunday at 3 p.m. (EDT) and close the trip with a contest against UC Davis at 3 p.m. (EDT).
