Sept. 24, 2010

Box Score

OXFORD, Ohio - The Miami University women's soccer team scored early and held on late Friday evening at Miami Soccer Field as the RedHawks downed Kent State, 1-0, in the Mid-American Conference opener for both teams. The 'Hawks (8-2-0, 1-0-0 MAC) have now won five matches in a row, their longest win streak since 2002, and earned their first MAC-opening win since 2006.

Miami struck quickly as freshman Katy Dolesh (South Euclid, Ohio) headed home her fourth goal of the season less than five minutes into the contest - something that's become a trademark for the 'Hawks in 2010. Junior Sarah Dessfelt (Vellinge, Sweden) picked up her fourth assist of the season on the tally, as she crossed the ball from the right side after a short corner.

The Flashes (1-4-3, 0-1-0 MAC) looked to even the score in the 24th minute, as freshman Jessacca Gironda stormed down the right side and fired a trio of shots, but Miami redshirt freshman keeper Kris Gasparovic (Rochester, Mich.) stopped the first one from close range, Gironda put the rebound off the post and Gasparovic recovered to block her third attempt, keeping the 'Hawks up, 1-0.

Miami appeared to make it 2-0 in the 35th minute, as junior Giselle Mangal (Mississauga, Ont.) poked home a loose ball in the box but it was waived off after the official said KSU's keeper had control of the ball before it was kicked in.

The RedHawks still took their 1-0 lead into the break, however, holding a 12-3 advantage in shots in the first 45 minutes, including 7-2 on goal. Miami also had a slight, 3-2, edge in corners in the opening period.

"I thought we came out well and played a good first half. We missed two breakaways, had a goal called back, hit the cross bar there at the end (of the second half) and that's on us," head coach Bobby Kramig said. "We have to do a better job of finishing chances and do a better job of putting teams away when we have the opportunity to do so."

In the second half, the 'Hawks continued to control play, getting behind the Kent State defense several times, but shot after shot was either saved or went just wide. The Flashes started to control possession over the final 15 minutes, putting some pressure on Miami, but the Red and White held strong.

In the 86th minute, sophomore Jess Kodiak (Naperville, Ill.) looked to give Miami a two-goal cushion as she had a breakaway down the right side, but her bending shot ricocheted off the crossbar to keep it a one-goal game. With less than 50 seconds to play, Gasparovic was called for holding the ball too long in the box (delay of game), giving KSU an indirect kick inside the penalty box. Kellyn Flanagan's shot however, was kicked into Miami's wall. The Flashes earned a corner out of it but the RedHawks cleared the ball and held on for a 1-0 victory despite the hectic finish.

"I thought we were a little tense there at the end. I would have liked to have seen us play a little bit better toward the end. A little bit more composure would have been good, but maybe that's symptomatic of such a young team," Kramig said. "In that respect I think it's a good win for us. Any win in the conference is a good win. We killed it off successfully. Another feather in the cap for us, a little bit more experience, and we move on to Buffalo."

With the win, Miami avenged last year's loss at Kent State and took the lead in the all-time series, 7-6-1. The 'Hawks also improved to 6-6-2 all-time in MAC openers.

Miami finished with a 26-7 disparity in shots, including 11-3 in shots on goal. KSU keeper Julie Keslar finished with nine saves in net while Gasparovic earned her third shutout in as many starts, making three stops. Miami also had a 6-5 edge in corners at the final horn while the physical contest saw 13 fouls on KSU and nine on Miami.

The RedHawks continue MAC play by hosting Buffalo on Sunday at 1 p.m. at Miami Soccer Field.

--MURedHawks.com--