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KENT, Ohio - The Miami University field hockey team won the MAC semifinal game against Appalachian State 6-1 on Friday. The RedHawks improve to 10-8 on the season and the Mountaineers fall to 8-11.

"I think it was great. The team really performed at a high level," said head coach Inako Puzo. "We talked before the game. The key was going to be to keep the intensity for the entire game and don't look at the scoreboard. It doesn't matter what direction the scoreboard was going, we just have to keep running and keep playing hard and I think they did it."

Miami led the game in shots 18-2 and penalty corners 11-2.

Lexi Silver scored less than one minute into the game with an assist earned by Lexie Nugent. This is Silver's fifth goal of the season. Silver got in behind Appalachian State's goalkeeper, Rachel Gaines, after the shot by Nugent was saved.

In the 11th minute of play, Neely Lochmoeller netted her third of the season to put the RedHawks up 2-0. Lochmoeller pressured Gaines with her goal-front presence, putting the ball into the back of the net after getting Gaines to go down.

Veerle Van Heertum cut the Miami lead in half during the 18th minute of play. Heertum's third goal of the season came off a penalty corner chance from Savanna Sheridan and Taylor Cimbalist.

During the 41st minute of play, Silver scored her second of the game and sixth of the season on a far-side shot off a pass from Paula Portugal to increase the RedHawks' lead to 3-1.

Leonor Berlie netted her sixth of the season off an assist from Avery Sturm during the 52nd minute. Estel Roig sent the ball into play on a penalty corner chance to start the play, but five players touched the ball before it made its way into the goal.

Just one minute later, Allie Grace Joyner scored her fourth of the season, the assist coming from Portugal. Joyner beat Gaines right side after Gaines made a sliding save on the left side of the cage.

Portugal scored her 17th of the season to round out the game's scoring during the 57th minute of play. Her shot came from the top of the circle.

"No matter if we play Kent State or Longwood, they're both great teams," said Brie Stahl. "It's always a learning experience to go out there, do our best, learn from our mistakes and build on that during our game play."

"Our team this year has more heart than I think I've ever played on a team with," said Makenna Colby. "The will to win that we have is incredible so I think that's really what drives our confidence on the field."

Miami will face Kent State in the MAC Championship tomorrow at 2 p.m.