Sept. 25, 2010
Final Stats
ATHENS, Ohio - The Miami field hockey team dropped a 2-1 overtime heartbreaker to the Ohio Bobcats Saturday afternoon in the Mid-American Conference opener for both teams. The RedHawks fall to 5-3 overall, while Ohio improves to 5-5.
As is usually the case when these two rivals meet, defense was the story of the game. The first half was scoreless with Miami outshooting the Bobcats, 4-3. The RedHawks best chance to score came off a penalty corner in the 28th minute. A penalty corner by Kate Snyder was shot on net by junior Amanda Seeley, but the Ohio goalkeeper was able to make the save.
The second half was more of the same as Miami was able to manage only four more shots, while the Bobcats were only able to shoot five. In the 66th minute, the RedHawks finally broke through when Olivia Miller was able to put the rebound of a Christine Brightwell shot into the back of the net. The lead would only last for 34 seconds as Ohio was able to answer with a goal of its own to send the game to overtime.
Overtime in field hockey is played seven-on-seven. Miami goalkeeper Sarah Mueller came up big early with a save on the Bobcat's Taylor Brown, but in the 77th minute Cathryn Altdoerffer was able to put the game-winning goal home for Ohio from about five yards out.
After three straight one goal defeats due to late scores from the opposition, head coach Jill Reeve wants the team to recognize the importance of finishing a game strong.
"The lesson is going to keep coming upon us until we learn to have composure at the end of the game," said Reeve. "I thought some players played outstanding games, but then we had some leaders not play well. You can't win games unless we are all playing hard and playing together."
Miller led the RedHawks with two shots on goal. Mueller made five saves in net. Ohio out shot Miami, 11-8, in the game.
The RedHawks return to action Sunday when they travel to Kent State for a 1 p.m. contest.
