Oct. 20, 2016 Box Score
KENT, Ohio - The Miami University soccer program suffered its first setback in nearly a month, dropping a 3-0 decision at Kent State on Thursday afternoon.
Thursday's result snaps the RedHawks' (8-6-2, 5-2-2 Mid-American) five-match unbeaten streak as they had entered the match on a 4-0-1 tear.
"All credit to Kent State, who are the best team we've seen in the MAC this year," head coach Bobby Kramig said. "That said, I know we are capable of better than we showed today and have no doubt that we'll bounce back on Sunday."
The Golden Flashes (11-1-2, 7-0-2 MAC) hemmed the RedHawks in on their own end right away, taking three shots and getting three corner kicks in the first three minutes of play.
Vic Maniaci settled in with a stop while the Miami defense blocked two other attempts. KSU ultimately fired the first six shots and six corner kicks of the afternoon, with Maniaci making three stops to keep it scoreless.
Miami created its first corner kick in the 21st minute, but that attack was quelled by a foul. KSU came right back and pressured the goal some more and eventually it got on the board as Jenna Hellstrom netted her 11th of the year in the 23rd minute to put Kent up 1-0.
Bianca Medancic recorded Miami's first corner kick try in the 29th minute, but the attempt sailed high of the target. That was the only offense the Red and White would muster in the opening frame as the Golden Flashes enjoyed a 13-1 shot advantage. Maniaci finished the half with five saves though and Hellstrom's tally was her lone blemish as MU remained within a goal trailing 1-0 at the half.
Kent State continued to hold the ball in the second half and got another goal out of Hellstrom as she took advantage of a misplay to make it 2-0 in the 57th minute. The Golden Flashes then put the contest away with a Dominique DiNardo goal in the 77th minute.
Final statistical totals saw Kent State outshoot Miami by a 20-6 margin while corner kicks finished at a 12-2 margin in favor of KSU. Maniaci clocked the first 59:37 in net and stopped seven of nine shots while
Patricia Koutoulas played the final 30 minutes and change and allowed a goal on two shots. Ashleah McDonald made two saves for the shutout.
The RedHawks head to Athens next for a Sunday rivalry showdown against the Ohio Bobcats. First kick is at 1 p.m.
