Miami Ohio University Athletics
RedHawks Pick Up Point in MAC Opening Tie with Zips
9/23/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
OXFORD, Ohio - A season-high 16 shots were attempted by the Miami soccer team and it posted a clean sheet at the other end, but the RedHawks were unable to find the back of the net in a 0-0 tie with Akron in their Mid-American Conference opener on Friday.
Miami (3-4-1, 0-0-1 MAC) recorded its third shutout in the past four outings with the result and have allowed just three goals in its last five contests.
"This wasn't the result we hoped for, but a MAC point is a MAC point," head coach Bobby Kramig said. "The kids worked very hard and they competed. Our service from the flanks has to be better, we were way too tight today. That's unusual because we had been good at serving the ball before today."
The RedHawks got the first glorious chance when the ball was worked beautifully up the right flank into the middle, where Olivia Winnett got a foot on the ball and fired it past the keeper, but square off the crossbar. UA countered with a long free kick that was misjudged and went past Vic Maniaci, but Tori Christiansen flew in to clear the ball away before it got to the goal line.
Miami doubled Akron (6-3) in terms of shot attempts over the first half overall. Winnett had another good run in the 14th minute when she got a step down the right side of the box for a 16-yard attempt that Annabelle Hegeman smothered. A minute later, a ball got loose in the box and Rachel Marble got to it at around 10 yards out, but the attempt sailed high. Despite the good looks, Miami was unable to finish in the attacking third and its runs were slightly mistimed as it was flagged offside four times in a scoreless first half.
Both teams attempted five shots in the second half, but none found the net nor were many particularly threatening. Maniaci calmly added three more saves to her total while Hegeman made one more stop to leave the contest scoreless through 90 minutes.
The RedHawks put together a furious attack in the first overtime period with Maggie Scott the recipient of a couple of nice plays. In the 93rd minute, the ball found her foot at the penalty dot, but her attempt went wide of the frame. Two minutes later, a set corner kick piece found her foot from 15 yards out again, but Hegeman stopped the shot. The Red and White outshot the Zips 5-1 overall in the 20 extra minutes, but neither team could find a winning strike.
Miami ended up outshooting Akron by a 16-9 margin while also having a 5-3 edge in corner kicks (5-1 after halftime). Maniaci made five saves to post her third solo shutout of the season and 21st of her career to pull her within two of Allison Norenberg's school record of 23. Hegeman made four saves at the other end for UA.
The Red and White wrap up their MAC opening weekend on Sunday when they host Buffalo at 1 p.m. That match will be Senior Day and a Red Out as fans are encouraged to show up in red.
