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OXFORD, Ohio - The Miami University field hockey team dominated Appalachian State 6-2 today. The RedHawks improve to 4-4 on the season and the Mountaineers fall to 2-6.

"Today's game completed a great weekend performance," said head coach Inako Puzo. "This weekend was very challenging for the team, playing two conference games away from home on the first weekend of conference matches. It was a lot on the table and we knew we would have to play hard and smart to come with positive results. We paid a toll for the big effort that the players made during Friday's game against Ohio University. We knew coming here that Appalachian State would move us out of our comfort zone due to their constant high pressure on the ball. It was important to win the control and the possession of the ball to minimize their opportunities. The message was to control the pace and the style of the game. I believe that we did a good job for a big portion of the time. As expected, the momentum shifted several times during the game and Appalachian State created great opportunities. I'm happy that our players were able to get the control of the game back. Appalachian State played great and while I'm happy with the scoreboard and I believe we deserve the win, I think that the scoreboard does not really show how hard it was to beat a team with so much character and personality such as Appalachian State."

Miami led the game in shots 15-5 and penalty corners 13-5.

Kirsten McNeil opened the scoring in the fourth minute of play off of a pass from Leonor Berlie, giving Miami an early 1-0 lead. This is McNeil's second goal of the season. McNeil's goal was a result of a penalty corner earned by Berlie.

Lexi Silver nets her third of the season to put the RedHawks up 2-0 in the 15th minute. Silver tipped in a pass from Berlie off of a penalty corner earned by Henni Otten.

Appalachian State cut Miami's lead to 2-1 in the 26th minute. Meghan Smart scored her first of the season with an assist from Taylor Cimbalist.

The RedHawks answered back in the 29th minute on a goal off a penalty corner. Paula Portugal netted her sixth goal of the season. Berlie tallied her third assist of the afternoon. Neely Lochmoeller also picked up an assist.

In the second half, Appalachian State struck first with Cimbalist's fourth goal of the season. She was assisted by Rebecca McLean to cut Miami's lead to 3-2.

Kenzie Peterson scored her first goal of the season during the 56th minute of play to increase the RedHawks' lead to 4-2. Portugal assisted on the penalty-corner goal.

In the 67th minute, Lexie Nugent netted her fourth goal of the season. Portugal picked up her second assist of the afternoon. The scoring play was started midfield with a Berlie interception, then Nugent and Portugal took the ball up the field and finished the play.

Miami rounded out the scoring in the 68th minute with a breakaway goal by Portugal, her second of the game and seventh of the season. Nugent picked up the assist. This scoring play also started with a Berlie interception before a pass to Brie Stahl and then Nugent set Nugent and Portugal up the field once again.

"This was another typical MAC game," said senior back Mackenna Colby. "Both teams were going to fight the entire game. For us, we knew we had to handle their pressure because they were going to come at us for 70 minutes. Our goal was to dictate the pace of the game and we did for the most part. I am proud of the way we worked for this whole weekend and to come out with two wins is a good sign of our work."

Portugal and Peterson led both teams with three shots apiece.

The RedHawks host Michigan State on Friday at 3 p.m. Miami then travels to Louisville, Ky. for a neutral match against Wake Forest at 2:30 p.m.