Miami University
Rutgers University
RedHawks Shut Out Rutgers for First Victory
9/4/2011 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
Sept. 4, 2011
PISCATAWAY, N.J. - The Miami University field hockey team earned its first victory of the season with a 3-0 win over Rutgers Sunday. Sophomore goalkeeper Sarah Mueller made five saves to earn her ninth career shutout. The RedHawks improve to 1-3 on the season, while the Scarlet Knights fall to 1-3.
Miami only managed two shots on goal during the first half, but the RedHawks made them pay off in a big way. In the 23rd minute, Olivia Miller took a shot that was stopped by Rutgers goalkeeper Sarah Stuby. The ball deflected back to Jackie Nguyen, who found Kaitlin Evans for her first career goal. Meanwhile, Mueller was tough in net on the other side of the field, kicking aside all four shots against her to give Miami a 1-0 lead heading into the break.
The RedHawk defense really tightened up during the second half, allowing just four shots, only one of which was on goal. Miami made it 2-0 in the 49th minute when Olivia Miller scored on a backhand from the middle of the circle. The RedHawks got an insurance goal in the 69th minute when Miller found Nguyen and Nguyen beat the goalkeeper for her first goal of the season.
Rutgers outshot Miami for the game, 10-7, although the RedHawks held the shots on goal advantage at 7-5. Miller led the team with three shots. The Scarlet Knights held the penalty corner advantage at 11-2.
Miami returns home next weekend when it welcomes third-ranked Virginia to the Field Hockey Complex Friday for a 3 p.m. game. The RedHawks will then take on Michigan State on Sunday at 1 p.m. The Cavaliers and Spartans will face each other in a neutral site game in Oxford on Saturday at 1 p.m.
